An innovative therapy for peri-implantitis based on radio frequency electric current: numerical simulation results and clinical evidence.

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference · 2016 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 2883

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference · 2016

Study typeother

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Peri-implantitis is a severe inflammatory pathology that affects soit and hard tissues surrounding dental implants. Nowadays, only prevention is effective to contrast peri-implantitis, but, in recent years, there is the clinical evidence of the efficiency of a therapy based on the application of radio frequency electric current, reporting that 81% of the cases (66 implants, 46 patients) were successfully treated. The aim of this paper is to present the therapy mechanism, exploring the distribution of the electric currents in normal and pathologic tissues. A 3D numerical FEM model of tooth root with a dental implant screwed in the alveolar bone has been realized and the therapy has been simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics® environment. Results show that the electric current is focused in the inflamed zone around the implant, due to the fact that its conductivity is higher than the healthy tissue one. Moreover, by means of a movable return electrode, the electric current and field lines can be guided in the most inflamed area, limiting the interference on healthy tissues and improving the therapy in the area of interest. In conclusion, it can be stated that this innovative therapy would make a personalized therapy for peri-implantitis possible, also through impedance measurements, allowing the clinician to evaluate the tissue inflammation state.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationPatients with peri-implantitis (dental implants)

Sample size46

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The abstract reports clinical evidence that a therapy using radio frequency electric current successfully treated 81% of cases (66 implants in 46 patients). Numerical FEM simulations suggest current concentrates in inflamed tissue around the implant due to higher conductivity, and that a movable return electrode could guide current toward the most inflamed area while limiting effects on healthy tissue.

Outcomes measured

Peri-implantitis treatment success (reported 81% successful cases)
Electric current distribution in normal vs inflamed peri-implant tissues (numerical simulation)
Ability to guide current/field lines with movable return electrode
Potential use of impedance measurements to assess inflammation state

Limitations

Frequency and exposure parameters (e.g., MHz, SAR, treatment duration) not reported in the abstract
Clinical evidence is described but study design, controls, follow-up, and outcome definitions are not provided
Simulation results may not directly translate to clinical outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical/therapeutic device (radio frequency electric current)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with peri-implantitis (dental implants)",
  "sample_size": 46,
  "outcomes": [
    "Peri-implantitis treatment success (reported 81% successful cases)",
    "Electric current distribution in normal vs inflamed peri-implant tissues (numerical simulation)",
    "Ability to guide current/field lines with movable return electrode",
    "Potential use of impedance measurements to assess inflammation state"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The abstract reports clinical evidence that a therapy using radio frequency electric current successfully treated 81% of cases (66 implants in 46 patients). Numerical FEM simulations suggest current concentrates in inflamed tissue around the implant due to higher conductivity, and that a movable return electrode could guide current toward the most inflamed area while limiting effects on healthy tissue.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and exposure parameters (e.g., MHz, SAR, treatment duration) not reported in the abstract",
    "Clinical evidence is described but study design, controls, follow-up, and outcome definitions are not provided",
    "Simulation results may not directly translate to clinical outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "peri-implantitis",
    "dental implant",
    "radio frequency",
    "electric current",
    "FEM",
    "COMSOL",
    "conductivity",
    "impedance measurements",
    "return electrode"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7592009
PubMed: 28269537

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