A Novel Rat Model of Polymicrobial Peri‐Implantitis: A Preliminary Study

Background: Peri‐implantitis is a complex polymicrobial biofilm‐induced inflammatory osteolytic gingival infection that results in orofacial implant failures. To the best knowledge of the authors, there are no preclinical in vivo studies in implant dentistry that have investigated the inflammatory response to known microbial biofilms observed in humans. The aim of this study is to develop a novel peri‐implant rat model using an established model of polymicrobial periodontitis. Methods: Wistar rats were used for the study of experimental peri‐implantitis. One month after extraction of maxillary first molars, a titanium mini‐implant was inserted. Two months after implant healing, implants were uncovered, and abutment fixing was done using cyanoacrylate to prevent abutment loosening. Rats were separated into two groups (group A: polymicrobial‐infected and group B: sham‐infected). One week after healing of abutments, rats were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis , Treponema denticola , and Tannerella forsythia for 12 weeks. Bacterial colonization, bone resorption, and implant inflammation were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microcomputed tomography, and histology, respectively. Results: Three rats with four implants in the infection group and two rats with three implants in the sham‐infection group were analyzed. PCR analysis revealed presence of bacterial genomic DNA, and infection elicited significant immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibody responses, indicating bacterial colonization/infection around implants. Infection induced an enhanced mean distance from implant platform to the first bone‐to‐implant contact, extensive peri‐implantitis with advanced bone resorption, and extensive inflammation with granulation tissue and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Conclusions: To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to develop a novel rat model of polymicrobial peri‐implantitis. With modifications to improve implant retention it could offer significant advantages for studies of initiation and progression of peri‐implantitis.