Tetracycline impregnated bone grafts in the management of -implantitis and guided bone regeneration around dental implants: A systematic review.

Background: Rehabilitation of dental arches with the help of dental implants has been revolutionary and a significant part of research is devoted to increasing its success rate. One of the most common causes of failure of dental implants is -implantitis caused due to microbial invasion. Newer strategies are being adapted for the treatment of -implantits and recent surgical management with the help of antibiotic-impregnated bone grafts shows a promising future.

Aim And Objectives: This study aimed to test the efficacy of bone grafts incorporating tetracycline and its derivatives in the treatment of -implantits and guided bone regeneration with the estimation of clinical and radiographic parameters.

Methods: A thorough search was made on eminent databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library database for published literature on tetracycline impregnated bone grafts used either in the management of -implantitis or for guided bone regeneration around dental implants.The measures of outcome were clinical attachment loss or probing depth around dental implants and radiographic bone height.

Results: Nine potentially eligible full-text published articles including case reports, case series, observational studies, and randomized controlled trials were selected for review. Most of the studies reviewed; reported a reduction in probing depth and an increase in bone height and density after placement of tetracycline bone grafts around the dental implant.

Conclusion: The incorporation of tetracycline into the bone grafts shows promising results as an agent of local delivery around dental implants in the management of -implantitis and for guided bone regeneration. Future trials are required to produce a body of evidence and to facilitate the translation of this procedure into clinical practice.