Peri-Implantitis Surface Decontamination — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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HardPeriodontologyPeri-Implantitis Surface DecontaminationORE Part 1

A patient has peri-implantitis with progressive crestal bone loss around an otherwise saveable implant. Following assessment and removal of biofilm-retentive factors, which approach is most appropriate as the initial management of the contaminated implant surface?

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Correct answer: C — Professional mechanical removal of plaque, calculus and retained cement

**Answer: A.** In UK practice, the initial implant-surface intervention for peri-implantitis is professional mechanical plaque removal: remove supra- and submucosal biofilm, calculus and any retained cement, while addressing factors that retain plaque. Progressive bone loss means peri-implantitis rather than mucositis; referral and later surgical management may be required if the implant is saveable but disease persists. **B** is plausible because glycine air polishing can remove deposits with limited surface alteration, but SDCEP does not recommend air polishing routinely as an adjunct to mechanical plaque removal for peri-implantitis. **C** is also not routinely recommended: adjunctive antiseptic gels have not shown reliable added clinical benefit. **D** has no role in treating infected implant surfaces. **E** fails to treat the biofilm-driven disease process.

Reference: Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme. Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases: Treatment of peri-implantitis, 2026. https://periodontalcare.sdcep.org.uk/guidance/dental-implants/treatment-of-peri-implantitis/