This study evaluated the peri-implant tissues under normal conditions and under the influence of experimental
peri-implantitis (EPI) in
osseointegrated implants installed in the maxillae of rats treated with oncologic dosage of
zoledronate. Twenty-eight senescent female rats underwent the extraction of the upper incisor and placement of a
titanium dental implant (DI). After eight weeks was installated a transmucosal healing screw on DI. After nine weeks, the following groups were formed: VEH, ZOL, VEH-EPI and ZOL-EPI. From the 9th until the 19th, VEH and VEH-EPI groups received vehicle and ZOL and ZOL-EPI groups received
zoledronate. At the 14th week, a cotton
ligature was installed around the DI in VEH-EPI and ZOL-EPI groups to induce the EPI. At the 19th week,
euthanasia was performed, and the maxillae were processed so that at the implanted sites were analyzed: histological aspects and the percentage of total bone tissue (PTBT) and non-vital bone tissue (PNVBT), along with TNFα, IL-1β,
VEGF, OCN and TRAP immunolabeling. ZOL group presented mild persistent peri-implant
inflammation, higher PNVBT and TNFα and IL-1β immunolabeling, but lower for
VEGF, OCN and TRAP in comparison with VEH group. ZOL-EPI group exhibited exuberant peri-implant
inflammation, higher PNVBT and TNFα and IL-1β immunolabeling when compared with ZOL and VEH-EPI groups.
Zoledronate disrupted peri-implant environment, causing mild persistent
inflammation and increasing the quantity of non-vital bone tissue. Besides, associated with the EPI there were an exacerbated
inflammation and even greater increase in the quantity of non-vital bone around the DI, which makes this condition a risk factor for medication-related
osteonecrosis of the jaws.