Innovative complex formulation as topical treatment for periimplantits

Background

Peri-implantitis, pathological condition occurring in tissues around dental implants, characterized by inflammation in the periimplant mucosa and progressive loss of supporting bone, is of major interest in contemporary dentistry. Mechanical debridement associated with the use of chlorhexidine, eventually combined with administration of systemic or local antibiotics, could reduce bleeding and probing depth but with no regenerative effects.

Aim/Hypothesis

A pharmaceutical combination of melatonin, hyaluronic acid and tetracycline was prepared to be used as topical treatment for peri-implantitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate if each component of the proposed treatment formulation would maintain its specific characteristics.

Material and Methods

Melatonin, with proved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, acting as a mediator in bone formation and resorption, hyaluronic acid with high molecular weight, having beneficiary role in tissue injury repair, wound healing and immunosuppression and tetracycline, with antimicrobial effect, were mixed in a new proposed formulation for topical use in peri-implantitis. The structural changes of the new material's components have been investigated with fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy techniques. In order to take advantage of the specific fluorescence behavior of melatonin and tetracycline the confocal fluorescence microscopy (instrument equipped with a fluorescence metal-halide lamp Leica EL6000) was applied.

Results

The FTIR results of the complex formulation showed the specific patterns of each compound. The fluorescence spectroscopy put in evidence that melatonin, hyaluronic acid and tetracycline, are preserving their specificity. The fluorescence spectra have distinctive characteristics for each of the assayed samples, being a sensitive method to differentiate the melatonin presence or absence from our samples. The findings are supported by the fluorescence microscopy results highlighting the blue fluorescence of melatonin (with specific filter).

Conclusion and Clinical Implications

The experimental results proved that no structural changes occurred at the level of the functional groups of the components. Therefore, it is expected that the obtained formulation would combine the specific local action of melatonin, hyaluronic acid and tetracycline and be effective for topical treatment of peri-implantitis.