Researchers find potential biomarkers for dangerous peri-implantitis disease

In Busan, South Korea, researchers at Pusan National University have made significant strides in understanding peri-implantitis (PI), a disease associated with dental implants. On December 6, 2024, the researchers published their findings, which detail how they identified specific genes that are overexpressed in PI compared to periodontitis. This crucial discovery stems from the increasing number of individuals receiving dental implants, paralleled by a rise in the prevalence of PI, which poses more challenges than traditional periodontitis in terms of diagnosis and treatment. To conduct their research, the team, led by Professor Yun Hak Kim, collected gingival tissue samples from patients suffering from both peri-implantitis and periodontitis. Using advanced techniques, they sequenced and analyzed the RNA from these samples to uncover the unique genetic profile of patients with PI. The study highlighted three specific marker genes that showed significant overexpression in PI, suggesting a strong link to activated fibroblasts in the pathophysiology of this condition. As the study underscores, while peri-implantitis and periodontitis share some clinical characteristics, they arise from different biological pathways. This understanding is pivotal for developing specialized treatments that can effectively target the unique mechanisms of PI. The researchers believe that accurate biomarker-based diagnostics could greatly minimize misdiagnoses between these two conditions and thus enhance patient outcomes. Additionally, having targeted strategies could improve the management of patients at higher risk for PI, particularly those with underlying inflammatory conditions. Professor Kim noted that the findings could pave the way for innovative bespoke therapies over the next 5 to 10 years, focusing on the distinct biological and immunological factors of PI. The identified genes can serve as a vital basis for reformulating treatment protocols aimed specifically at combating peri-implantitis, potentially leading to improved success rates for dental implants. Furthermore, the research elucidates the role of activated fibroblasts in PI, which may mirror mechanisms in other chronic inflammatory diseases, suggesting broader implications for medical science.