Could a routine blood test help predict the risk of dental implant failure? Researchers at Wroclaw Medical University, led by Professor Marzena Dominiak, aim to answer this question. Through the international PERI-EDU project, they are investigating how local inflammatory changes around dental implants are linked to the body’s systemic inflammatory response. The project is expected to deliver not only new scientific evidence but also practical diagnostic tools for clinicians and innovative educational resources for students.
More information about the project is available at: https://peri-edu.umw.edu.pl/
A complication that remains a clinical challenge
Dental implants have become one of the most effective solutions for replacing missing teeth. Although the vast majority of implant procedures are successful, some patients develop peri-implantitis—an inflammatory disease affecting the tissues surrounding an implant that leads to progressive bone loss and, in advanced cases, implant failure.
Today, diagnosis relies primarily on clinical examination and radiographic imaging. However, researchers want to determine whether the body produces warning signals much earlier in the disease process and whether these can be detected by analyzing inflammatory biomarkers in the blood.
“In everyday clinical practice, there is still no straightforward way to integrate local diagnostics—including clinical examination, radiographic assessment, and implant evaluation—with an assessment of the patient’s systemic inflammatory status. This project seeks to determine whether blood-based inflammatory markers and other systemic factors can complement the conventional diagnosis of peri-implantitis and improve risk assessment,” explains Jacek Matys, DMD, PhD, Associate Professor, from the Department of Oral Surgery at Wroclaw Medical University.
Four sources of knowledge for one clinical problem
One of the defining features of PERI-EDU is its comprehensive approach to peri-implant disease. The research team simultaneously evaluates patients’ clinical findings, radiological examinations, laboratory test results, and the characteristics of removed implants and their surrounding tissues.
Based on these data, the researchers aim to develop a new risk assessment model—the Peri-Implantitis Immune-Inflammation Index (PIII). In the future, this index could help clinicians assess inflammatory activity and make more informed treatment decisions.
“PERI-EDU goes beyond the local treatment of peri-implantitis. It combines clinical and radiological diagnostics with blood analyses and the evaluation of removed implants and surrounding tissues. Our goal is to develop an index to assess inflammatory activity and disease risk in patients with peri-implantitis. For clinicians, this means a more structured approach to patient assessment; for patients, it offers the possibility of earlier diagnosis, improved evaluation of risk factors, and more personalized treatment planning,” says Associate Professor Jacek Matys.
Bridging science, education, and clinical practice
The project extends well beyond laboratory research. An equally important objective is to translate scientific findings into everyday clinical practice and dental education.
PERI-EDU will deliver:
- a comprehensive review of current knowledge on inflammatory biomarkers in peri-implantitis,
- a clinical database of patients,
- analyses of inflammatory markers and biological samples,
- a proposal for a novel risk assessment index,
- educational materials for dental students and academic staff,
- courses, workshops, webinars, and e-books,
- scientific publications,
- an online educational platform for the dental and medical community.
These resources will benefit dental students, general dentists, implantologists, periodontists, oral surgeons, academic educators, and researchers. Some educational materials will also be developed specifically for patients.
A European collaboration
The project is coordinated by Wroclaw Medical University, which is responsible for managing the consortium, conducting the research, developing educational resources, and coordinating collaboration with international partners.
The consortium also includes several leading European institutions:
- Sapienza University of Rome
- University of Barcelona
- University of Bern
- Egas Moniz School of Health and Science
Together, the partners bring expertise in oral surgery, periodontology, implantology, diagnostic methods, laser therapy, implant surface analysis, clinical research, and innovative approaches to higher education.
From the laboratory to the dental clinic
The project’s creators emphasize that their goal is not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to develop solutions that can be implemented in everyday clinical practice.
“The most exciting aspect of the project is our effort to transform scientific research into practical tools for clinicians and educational resources for students. In dentistry, peri-implantitis is often viewed primarily as a local disease. Through PERI-EDU, we want to broaden this perspective and investigate whether systemic inflammation, blood test results, and patient-related factors influence both the development and progression of the disease. Equally important is the fact that the project’s outcomes will not remain confined to scientific publications. They will be incorporated into university teaching, professional training courses, webinars, and clinical decision-support tools,” concludes Associate Professor Jacek Matys.
The PERI-EDU project is funded under the Erasmus+ Program, which promotes international cooperation, innovative educational methods, and the advancement of higher education by integrating scientific research, education, and clinical practice.
More information: https://peri-edu.umw.edu.pl/
Project funded by the European Union
Grant No. 2024-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000251208
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.