Randomized clinical trial of the effects of azithromycin use in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Background: The aim of this clinical trial was to establish a proof of concept that the adjunctive use of systemic azithromycin (AZM) in conjunction with mechanical debridement has an increased benefit in reducing soft tissue inflammation in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, the treatment group (nine patients) received AZM as well as mechanical debridement in a single course of treatment, whereas the control group (eight patients) received a placebo and mechanical debridement. The primary outcome variables studied were bleeding on probing, suppuration, pocket probing depth and gingival recession. The secondary variables studied were gingival index, plaque index, microbiological and interleukin-1β status. The observation period was 6 months.

Results: Over the 6 months' observation period, the treatment patients showed a consistently greater reduction of gingival inflammation and an improvement in soft tissue healing than the control patients.

Conclusions: The adjunctive use of a single course of systemic azithromycin can assist in the control of peri-implant mucositis in the treatment of peri-implantitis.