RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between hygiene knowledge and habits and gingivitis in Puerto Rican school children. METHODS: Questionnaires on oral health knowledge and hygiene habits were provided to almost half of the 12-year-olds who participated in an island-wide cross-sectional oral health study. The evaluations included gingival examinations in 2 quadrants. Odds ratios (ORs) (with 95% CIs) were computed using logistic regression models and oral health-related knowledge and hygiene habits to gingivitis. RESULTS: Of the 823 participants who completed the questionnaire 53.43% were female, and 81% had gingivitis. Most reported having received instructions on brushing (98%), flossing (89.5%), and using mouthwash (90%). The majority (75%) rated their gums as healthy, and 44.68% agreed that oral health affects general health. Nearly half (44%) reported brushing their teeth at least 2 times a day, and 80.25%, flossing daily. In multivariate analysis, not having been instructed on how to brush was related to greater odds of having gingivitis (OR: 7.32; 95% CI: 1.5-35.67). Flossing more than once a day was associated with half the odds of gingivitis (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.29-0.88). CONCLUSION: The children had knowledge of oral hygiene methods but were mostly unaware that gingival health could affect systemic health. Fewer than half reported brushing 2 or more times a day. Not having been instructed on how to brush was associated with higher odds of gingivitis.
Assuntos
Gengivite , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Hispânico ou Latino , Saúde Bucal , Higiene Bucal , Humanos , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Criança , Masculino , Higiene Bucal/estatística & dados numéricos , Gengivite/epidemiologia , Saúde Bucal/estatística & dados numéricos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Porto Rico , Escovação Dentária/estatística & dados numéricos , Modelos LogísticosRESUMO
Si bien el conocimiento científico para el tratamiento de la periimplantitis ha avanzado significativamente en los últimos años, sigue en discusión qué tipo de abordaje quirúrgico genera los mejores resultados clínicos y si el uso de biomateriales da mejoras significativas en dicho tratamiento. Este reporte de caso describe un abordaje quirúrgico reconstructivo de un defecto intraóseo por periimplantitis en una paciente que refería dolor y un intenso sangrado en sus implantes dentales, empleando un sustituto óseo anorgánico mineral bovino, sin el uso de una membrana o barrera, y con un protocolo de descontaminación de la superficie del implante mecánico y químico. Posteriormente, a las 20 semanas de realizado el procedimiento, se hizo la evaluación del defecto, obteniendo profundidades al sondeo menores a 5 mm, ausencia de sangrado al sondeo en todos los sitios y un llenado óseo radiográfico de aproximadamente 90%; cumpliendo con los criterios de éxito de la terapia periimplantaria. Lo anterior muestra que la terapia reconstructiva para los defectos por periimplantitis puede ser posible mediante el uso de un sustituto óseo xenogénico únicamente y con una correcta descontaminación de la superficie del implante (AU)
Although scientific knowledge for the treatment of peri-implantitis have advanced significantly in recent years, the type of surgical approach that generates the best clinical results is still under discussion and whether the use of biomaterials gives significant improvements in said treatment. This case report describes a reconstructive surgical approach for a periimplantitis intrabony defect using an anorganic bovine bone substitute, without the use of a membrane or barrier, and with a mechanical and chemical implant surface decontamination protocol. Twenty weeks after the procedure, the defect was reassessed, obtaining probing depths of less than 5 mm, no bleeding on probing in all sites, and radiographic bone filling of approximately 90%; meeting the success criteria for the peri-implant therapy. This shows that reconstructive therapy for periimplantitis defects may be possible using a xenogeneic bone substitute only and proper decontamination of the implant surface (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Substitutos Ósseos/uso terapêutico , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Bucais/métodos , Implantação Dentária Endóssea/efeitos adversos , Peri-Implantite/cirurgia , Bolsa Periodontal/diagnóstico , Retalhos Cirúrgicos , Escovação Dentária/métodos , Índice Periodontal , Descontaminação/métodos , MéxicoRESUMO
The evidence to characterize oral health during adolescence in Costa Rica is limited. This lack of adequate research makes it difficult to develop appropriate health policies for this subgroup of the population. This is particularly important because adolescence is the period during which good health habits must take root in order to foster good physical and cognitive development. This study aims to determine the prevalence of tooth loss, bleeding on probing and malocclusion in Costa Rican male adolescents at the ''Colegio Técnico Profesional San Agustín'' (St. Augustine's Technical High School) located in the province of Cartago. Data was collected from 428 male adolescents aged 12-22 years in a cross-sectional study during 2019. Prevalence of tooth loss was calculated as the number of individuals having lost at least one tooth. The average number of teeth lost by individuals was also recorded. The bleeding on probing was an indicator used as a proxy parameter for monitoring periodontal health where the presence of bleeding on probing and calculus was also recorded. Malocclusion was measured using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The results showed that the prevalence of tooth loss, bleeding on probing and malocclusion was of 19%, 70.0% and 98%, respectively. It was also found that 81% of the participants had all their teeth, 11% had lost 1 tooth, 8% had lost more than one tooth of which 0.5% had lost more than 5 teeth. Considering a general classification of periodontal problems based on bleeding on probing and presence of calculus, the prevalence of periodontal problems increases to 92%. Regarding the DAI, the category identifying a very severe malocclusion was the most prevalent in the sample (88%). It is alarming the high prevalence of tooth loss, bleeding on probing, and malocclusions in a sample of Costa Rican male adolescents, compared to similar studies in other countries. The overarching conclusion of this study is that oral diseases represent an important health problem that urgently need proper public health action.
La evidencia para caracterizar la salud bucal durante la adolescencia en Costa Rica es limitada. Esta falta de investigación adecuada dificulta el desarrollo de políticas de salud convenientes para este subgrupo de la población. Esto es particularmente importante porque la adolescencia es el período durante el cual se deben arraigar buenos hábitos de salud para fomentar un buen desarrollo físico y cognitivo. Este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de pérdida de piezas dentales, sangrado al sondeo y maloclusión en adolescentes varones costarricenses del Colegio Técnico Profesional San Agustín ubicado en la provincia de Cartago. Se recopilaron datos de 428 adolescentes varones de 12 a 22 años en un estudio transversal durante 2019. La prevalencia de pérdida de piezas dentales se calculó como el número de individuos que habían perdido al menos una pieza dental. También se registró el número promedio de dientes perdidos por individuos. El sangrado al sondeo fue un indicador utilizado como parámetro para el seguimiento de la salud periodontal donde también se registró la presencia de sangrado al sondeo y cálculo dental. La maloclusión se midió utilizando el Índice Estético Dental (DAI, por sus siglas en inglés). Los resultados mostraron que la prevalencia de pérdida de piezas dentales, sangrado al sondeo y maloclusión fue del 19%, 70,0% y 98%, respectivamente. También se encontró que el 81% de los participantes tenían todos sus dientes, el 11% había perdido 1 pieza dental, el 8% había perdido más de una pieza dental, de los cuales el 0,5% había perdido más de 5 piezas dentales. Considerando una clasificación general de problemas periodontales basada en sangrado al sondeo y presencia de cálculo, la prevalencia de problemas periodontales aumenta al 92%. En cuanto al DAI, la categoría que identifica una maloclusión muy severa fue la más prevalente en la muestra (88%). Es alarmante la alta prevalencia de pérdida de piezas dentales, sangrado al sondeo y maloclusiones en una muestra de adolescentes varones costarricenses, en comparación con estudios similares en otros países. La conclusión general de este estudio es que las enfermedades bucodentales representan un importante problema de salud que necesita urgentemente una acción adecuada de salud pública.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Criança , Adolescente , Adulto , Perda de Dente/diagnóstico , Má Oclusão/diagnóstico , Hemorragia Bucal/diagnóstico , Costa RicaRESUMO
Dificuldades na higienização de próteses fixas implanto-suportadas é uma queixa frequente dos pacientes. Embora a higiene bucal seja primordial para a manutenção em longo prazo, não há consenso na literatura com relação à eficácia de protocolos de higienização em implantes dentários e as melhores abordagens ainda estão por ser estabelecidas. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar e comparar a eficácia de 2 protocolos de higienização, irrigador bucal e escova interproximal, como adjuvantes à escovação convencional na limpeza peri-implantar entre indivíduos reabilitados com prótese total implanto-suportadas. Para tal, um ensaio clínico randomizado controlado cruzado foi realizado com 21 indivíduos. No momento da seleção, cada participante foi aleatoriamente designado para um dos grupos do estudo: 1) grupo IB = escova interproximal + escova convencional ou 2) grupo IO = irrigador oral + escova convencional. Após 60 dias sob o protocolo de tratamento inicial, e transcorridos um período de washout de 30 dias, todos os participantes mudaram seus respectivos protocolos de higiene bucal. Os desfechos presença de placa bacteriana peri-implantar (PPi) e sangramento à sondagem (SSi) foram coletados no baseline, 7, 14, 30 e 60 dias após o início de cada tratamento. A análise estatística incluiu comparações intra e intergrupos através do teste de Friedman. Além disso, uma regressão logística de efeitos mistos foi usada para determinar as variáveis preditoras associadas aos desfechos do estudo. Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhorias no controle de PPi e SSi, embora as reduções tenham sido maiores no grupo IO, em todos os tempos de avaliação. As melhorias no controle de PPi e SSi após o período de monitoramento de 60 dias foram, respectivamente, cerca de 36% e 33% maiores no grupo IO. Escovação interproximal e sítios linguais foram associados com a ocorrência de PPi e SSi nos modelos logísticos finais de efeitos mistos. Os achados do presente estudo suportam a recomendação do irrigador bucal como adjuvante a escovação convencional na higiene peri-implantar em indivíduos reabilitados com prótese total inferior implanto-suportada (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br #RBR-62hsp9).
Comparison of oral irrigator and interproximal brush in peri-implant oral hygiene in implant-fixed full-arch mandibular prosthesis: randomized controlled crossover clinical trial. Great difficulties in oral hygiene of implant-fixed prostheses are a common complaint of patients. Although oral hygiene is paramount for long-lasting healthy and functional prosthetic rehabilitations, there is no literature consensus with respect to the efficacy of self-performed oral hygiene protocols around dental implants and the best approaches are yet to be established. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral irrigator and interproximal brush as adjuvant to conventional brushing in peri-implant oral hygiene among individuals rehabilitated with implant-fixed full-arch mandibular prosthesis. A randomized controlled crossover clinical trial was conducted with 21 individuals. At the enrollment, each participant was randomly assigned to one of the study groups: 1) IB group = interproximal brush + conventional brush ou 2) OI group = oral irrigator + conventional brush. After 60 days under the initially treatment and a 30-day washout period, all participants changed their respective oral hygiene protocol. Peri- implant dental plaque (PiDP) and bleeding on probing (BOPi) were collected at baseline, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days after the beginning of each treatment. Statistical analysis included intra-and intergroup comparisons through the Friedman test. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to determine the effects of predictors associated to study outcomes. Both groups presented improvements in PiDP and BOPi control, although reductions were greater in the OI group, at all examination times. Improvements in PiDP and BOPi after the 60-day monitoring period were, respectively, around 36% and 33% greater in the OI group. Interproximal brushing and lingual sites were associated with PiDP and BOPi in the mixed effects final models. Findings support the recommendation of oral irrigator as adjuvant to conventional brushing in the peri-implant oral hygiene in implant-fixed full-arch rehabilitated individuals (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br #RBR-62hsp9).
Assuntos
Higiene Bucal , Escovação Dentária , Implantes Dentários , Ensaio Clínico , Placa Dentária , Prótese Total , HemorragiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence, severity, and associated risk factors of gingival inflammation in a group of adults from Kingston, Jamaica; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. METHODS: In this representative cross-sectional study, participants completed medical and oral health questionnaires and received an oral clinical examination by trained and calibrated examiners. Clinical assessments included: gingival health (modified Löe-Silness index), visible plaque and presence of calculus. Findings were summarized as mean overall and interproximal gingival indices (GI; IGI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), gingival inflammation prevalence (GI>=0.5) and severity (mild, moderate, severe), mean and interproximal visible plaque indices (VPI; IVPI), and calculus index. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between risk factors and gingival bleeding on probing (BOP) at >= 40% sites;. odds ratios were estimated. RESULTS: All 1,847 participants presented gingival inflammation; most (81.9%) had moderate inflammation. Mean GI, VPI, IVPI, and calculus indices were 1.49, 0.94, 0.96, and 0.66, respectively; most participants presented a VPI >= 30%. BOP >= 40% of sites was significantly associated with education (ORmiddle/technical vs. university education=1.61; p =0.001 and ORnone/basic vs. university= 2.86; p<0.001), calculus index (OR: 10.35), VPI >= 30% (OR: 7.85; p<0.001 for both), and being a resident of Kingston or Santo Domingo (vs. San Juan, OR: 4. 74 and OR: 7.09, respectively), after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, dental visit frequency, diabetes, and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Gingival inflammation was highly prevalent. Most participants presented moderate gingival inflammation. Educational attainment, dental calculus, and VPI >= 30% were strongly associated with gingival inflammation.
Assuntos
Cálculos Dentários/epidemiologia , Placa Dentária/epidemiologia , Gengivite/epidemiologia , Saúde Bucal , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Índice de Placa Dentária , República Dominicana/epidemiologia , Escolaridade , Feminino , Gengivite/patologia , Humanos , Jamaica/epidemiologia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Índice Periodontal , Prevalência , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Chronic oral diseases are rarely studied together, especially with an emphasis on their common risk factors. This study examined the association of added sugar consumption on "chronic oral disease burden" among adolescents, with consideration of obesity and systemic inflammation pathways through structural equation modeling. A cross-sectional study was conducted of a complex random sample of adolescent students enrolled at public schools in São Luís, Brazil ( n = 405). The outcome was chronic oral disease burden, a latent variable based on the presence of probing depth ≥4 mm, bleeding on probing, caries, and clinical consequences of untreated caries. The following hypotheses were tested: 1) caries and periodontal diseases among adolescents are correlated with each other; 2) added sugar consumption and obesity are associated with chronic oral disease burden; and 3) chronic oral disease burden is linked to systemic inflammation. Models were adjusted for socioeconomic status, added sugar consumption, oral hygiene behaviors, obesity, and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6). All estimators of the latent variable chronic oral disease burden involved factor loadings ≥0.5 and P values <0.001, indicating good fit. Added sugar consumption (standardized coefficient [SC] = 0.212, P = 0.005), high IL-6 levels (SC = 0.130, P = 0.036), and low socioeconomic status (SC = -0.279, P = 0.001) were associated with increased chronic oral disease burden values. Obesity was associated with high IL-6 levels (SC = 0.232, P = 0.001). Visible plaque index was correlated with chronic oral disease burden (SC = 0.381, P < 0.001). Our finding that caries and periodontal diseases are associated with each other and with added sugar consumption, obesity, and systemic inflammation reinforces the guidance of the World Health Organization that any approach intended to prevent noncommunicable diseases should be directed toward common risk factors.
Assuntos
Açúcares da Dieta/efeitos adversos , Doenças da Boca/etiologia , Adolescente , Brasil/epidemiologia , Doença Crônica/epidemiologia , Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença , Estudos Transversais , Índice de Placa Dentária , Açúcares da Dieta/administração & dosagem , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Doenças da Boca/epidemiologia , Obesidade Infantil/epidemiologia , Obesidade Infantil/etiologia , Fatores de Risco , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Gingivitis is a common oral health problem. Untreated gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, a common cause of tooth loss. The prevalence of gingivitis and calculus among Puerto Rican children is unknown. Understanding this prevalence can support early public health preventative strategies. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis and calculus among 12-year-old Puerto Ricans by health region and to explore differences in distribution by school type (proxy for socio-economic status) and gender. METHODS: A probability-based sample of 113 schools was selected proportional to enrollment size and stratified by health region, school type, and gender. Two trained examiners evaluated the presence of gingivitis and both supragingival and subgingival dental calculus. Gingivitis was defined as the presence of gingival bleeding upon gentle probing (BOP) in at least one site, and the extent of the problem was classified according to the percentage of teeth whose gingiva presented BOP (limited: 25-49% of the teeth tested; extensive: >50% of teeth tested). Logistic and linear regression models, adjusted for health regions, were used to compare gingivitis and calculus prevalence and extent between genders and school types. RESULTS: Gingivitis was found in 80.41% of the 1586 children evaluated. Urban-public schoolchildren had a slightly higher prevalence (83.24%) compared to private (79.15%, p = 0.16); those in rural-public (77.59%) and private schools had similar prevalence (p = 0.15). Extensive gingivitis was present in 60.81% of all children. The mean percentage of sites presenting BOP (BOP%) was 17.79%. Rural and urban public schoolchildren presented significantly higher BOP% compared to children from private schools (p = 0.0005, p = 0.002, respectively). Dental calculus was detected in 61.59% of the sample, boys presenting significantly higher (p = 0.005) total and supragingival calculus. Rural-public schoolchildren had a significantly higher prevalence of subgingival calculus compared to private schoolchildren (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Gingivitis prevalence is higher among 12-year-old Puerto Ricans compared to data reported for U.S. adolescents. Public schoolchildren presented significantly higher BOP% sites compared to private schoolchildren. Boys presented a significantly higher total and supragingival calculus prevalence than girls. Oral health disparities related to gender and school type were identified by this study. Studies exploring the reasons for these disparities are recommended.
Assuntos
Cálculos Dentários/epidemiologia , Gengivite/epidemiologia , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Humanos , Índice Periodontal , Prevalência , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , População Rural/estatística & dados numéricos , Instituições Acadêmicas/estatística & dados numéricos , Fatores Sexuais , População Urbana/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gingival tissues, typically progresses to periodontitis. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis in 35- to 70-year-olds residing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and assess the differences in gingivitis distribution between age and gender groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with a sample of patients from a private practice and patients/employees of the Puerto Rico Medical Center. Participants completed a medical history questionnaire and received soft/hard tissue and gingival assessments based on a modified Löe-Silness index. Descriptive statistics were employed to estimate the overall gingivitis prevalence, severity (mild, moderate, severe), and mean gingival index (GI). Bleeding on probing (BOP) prevalence and the mean percentage of BOP sites were calculated by gender and age. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between age, gender, and severity in 3 categories; multivariate logistic regression was used for having >=40% sites with BOP (vs. having <40% sites with BOP as reference). Odds ratios were also estimated. RESULTS: All 300 participants (52% women; 48% men) had gingivitis. The mean GI was 1.38. Moderate gingivitis was detected in 83% of the participants, mild in 7.3%, and severe in 9.3%. BOP was observed in 99% of the subjects (mean % BOP sites = 34%). After adjusting for age, men had significantly higher odds of moderate (OR = 4.66) and severe gingivitis (OR =10.06), compared to women, as well as 1.76 times higher odds of having 40% or more sites with BOP. CONCLUSION: Gingivitis was observed in all participants. Men had significantly higher GI, compared to women. The prevalence of gingivitis was higher in Puerto Rico than in the US.
Assuntos
Gengivite/epidemiologia , Índice Periodontal , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Gengivite/patologia , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Projetos Piloto , Prevalência , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
AIM: This study assessed the associations of pre-diabetes and insulin resistance with bleeding on probing (BOP) and periodontitis among adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 1191 Hispanic adults aged 40-65 years, free of diabetes, enrolled in San Juan Overweight Adults Longitudinal Study. Pre-diabetes was defined as impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or impaired glycated haemoglobin. Impaired one-hour plasma glucose (1hPG) was defined as levels >155 mg/dl. Insulin resistance was defined using the study population-specific 75th percentile (HOMA-IR ≥ 3.13). High BOP was defined as percentage of teeth with bleeding ≥30%. Periodontitis was defined according to the CDC/AAP definition. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, obesity, HDL-C, and plaque index, pre-diabetes with and without 1hPG, IFG, impaired 1hPG, IGT, and HOMA-IR were significantly associated with high BOP; pre-diabetes, IFG, and impaired 1hPG were significantly associated with severe periodontitis. Most of these associations remained significant when the analyses were restricted to non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests associations between pre-diabetes and insulin resistance with BOP and periodontitis. Given the high prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism and periodontitis, the assessment of the temporal sequence of these associations is of utmost importance.
Assuntos
Intolerância à Glucose/complicações , Índice Periodontal , Periodontite/complicações , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Teste de Tolerância a Glucose , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Periodontite/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Objetivos: avaliar se a união entre implantes e/ou a presença de gengiva artifi cial infl uencia no sangramento a sondagem dos tecidos peri-implantares. Material e métodos: foram incluídos pacientes tratados com implantes de titânio (Implacil De Bortoli, São Paulo, Brasil), instalados no período de 1998 a 2012, na Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Os implantes foram examinados para avaliação do sangramento a sondagem, sendo divididos de acordo com o tipo de prótese: unitárias (n=167), parciais (n=522) e totais (n=227); e de acordo com a ausência (n=674) ou presença (n=242) de gengiva artifi cial. O teste estatístico com equação de estimativa generalizada foi usado para testar possíveis associações. Resultados: foram examinados 183 pacientes reabilitados com 916 implantes em função, pelo menos por um ano. Ao menos um ponto de sangramento a sondagem foi detectado em 85 (50,9%), 304 (58,2%) e 129 (56,8%) implantes das próteses unitárias, parciais e totais, respectivamente. Em relação à gengiva artificial, 378 (56,1%) dos implantes sem e 140 (57,9%) dos implantes com esta característica apresentaram sangramento a sondagem. Não foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Conclusão: a união dos implantes ou a presença de gengiva artificial não foram associadas com os resultados de sangramento a sondagem nos implantes em função.
Objective: to evaluate whether the prosthesis type (single, partial, complete) and/or the presence of artifi cial gingiva can influence on bleeding on probing of peri-implant tissues. Material and methods: patients treated with titanium dental implants (Implacil De Bortoli, São Paulo, Brazil) between 1998 to 2012 at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) were included in this study. The implants were divided according the following prosthodontic types: single (n=167), partial (n=522), and complete (n=277), and also regarding the presence (n=674) or absence (n=242) or artificial gingiva. The generalized estimating equation test was used to verify possible associations. Results: 183 patients and 916 implants at least 1 year in function were screened. At least one bleeding point was detected in 85 (50.9%), 304 (58.2%), and 129 (56.8%) implants for single, partial, and complete prostheses, respectively. 378 (56.1%) and 140 (57.9%) implant from groups without and with artificial gingiva presented bleeding on probing. No significant differences were identified among groups. Conclusion: the prosthesis design and/or artifi cial gingiva were not associated to bleeding on probing for dental implants in function.