Dual Functional Drug Eluting Dental Implants (DEIs) for Infection Prevention

Abstract

Microorganisms present in biofilm around dental implants induce peri-implantitis, a common post-operative complication. Peri-implant infections are caused by a variety of reasons, including the patient's systemic state, the environment, and surgical variables. However, peri-implantitis therapy remains difficult for clinicians, with results that aren't always predictable. As a result, using drug eluting dental implants (DEIs) to prevent peri-implant infections could be a viable option. This review focuses on the challenges associated with peri-implant infections, as well as the use of diverse biomaterials as surface coatings for DEIs, including bioactive materials, antimicrobials, non-antimicrobial medicines, and metals. The use of antibacterial and bioactive coatings has been recommended as a way to lower the rate of infection and inflammation-related dental implant failure.