Prospective evaluation of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein in patients with end-stage periodontitis getting teeth replaced with dental implants: a pilot investigation

Abstract

Objectives : Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be a risk predictor for cardiovascular disease. Periodontal treatment reduces elevated CRP levels. The aim of this pilot investigation was to evaluate if dental implants placed after extractions in patients with end-stage periodontitis affect the serum CRP levels. Material and methods : Serum CRP levels in 10 subjects with end-stage periodontitis were measured prior to tooth extraction and placement of dental implants, and at 3-month intervals for a year post-operatively. Univariate repeated measures analysis of variance was used to estimate and test the changes in CRP levels over time. Results : Mean CRP levels decreased significantly following tooth extraction and replacement with dental implants from 3.45 to 1.55 mg/dl after 12 months ( P <0.01). Six-, 9-, and 12-month post-implant placement mean CRP values were statistically significantly different from the mean pre-operative CRP value ( P <0.01). Conclusions : The pilot data suggest that extraction of advanced periodontally involved teeth and their replacement with dental implants lead to a decrease in CRP levels, and dental implant placement does not change the lowered CRP levels over a 12-month period. To cite this article: Rahman A, Rashid S, Noon R, Samuel ZS, Lu B, Borgnakke WS, Williams RC. Prospective evaluation of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein in patients with end-stage periodontitis getting teeth replaced with dental implants: a pilot investigation. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2004.01109.x