Aim: The aim of this study was to explore which peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) protein pattern is associated with the active peri‐implantitis process.
Materials and methods: Peri‐implant crevicular fluid from 25 peri‐implantitis sites were subjected to proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry before and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, to identify associations between PICF protein pattern and implant loss, bleeding on probing, pocket depth and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) treatment.
Results: Clustering of subjects based on their 3–12 months PICF proteomic profiles by principal component analysis defined two major clusters. Cluster 2 differentiated from cluster 3 by 52 proteins (R2 = 90%, Q2 = 80%) and belonging to cluster 2 was associated with implant loss (p = 0.009) and bleeding on probing (p = 0.001). Cluster 3 was associated with implant survival and EMD treatment (p = 0.044).
Conclusion: Here, we demonstrate that a specific PICF proteomic profile associates with active peri‐implantitis process and implant loss.