Peri-implant marginal bone loss and systemic statin use: A retrospective cohort pilot study

Objectives: The aim was to analyze clinical parameters of peri-implantitis in human subjects exposed and non-exposed to use of systemic statins. Material and methods: This retrospective cohort pilot study compared patient records of 60 exposed individuals to 196 non-exposed individuals as of 2011 throughout 2017. Source of records were specialist and general dentistry clinics in Public Dental Service, Stockholm County, Sweden. Extent/severity of peri-implantitis and peri-implant bone loss were registered as well as intake of systemic statins. Background variables considered were bleeding on probing, bone-loss, age, gender, earlier periodontitis, prosthetic quality, and smoking. Stepwise linear and logistic regression analysis at the individual level was adopted in order to study the influence of statin use on the severity of peri-implantitis and the incidence of peri-implant bone loss. Results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: Peri-implant bone loss was significantly correlated to use of statin after compensation for age and sex. Conclusions: The results render an actual effect of statins on peri-implant bone loss plausible. Further research is warranted.