Investigation of Macrophage Polarization in Peri-implant Health and Peri-implantitis

Peri-implantitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by plaque-associated inflammation of the peri-implant mucosa and progressive loss of supporting bone around dental implants, which may ultimately lead to implant failure if left untreated. It has been demonstrated that cellular and molecular responses of the host immune defense system play a critical role in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. Macrophages are key cells in the host immune response and are generally classified into two phenotypes: pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2). While M1 macrophages are actively involved in the early defense response, a shift toward the M2 phenotype is required for the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. Smoking has been shown to adversely affect macrophage polarization and function, thereby exacerbating inflammatory responses. Therefore, in the present study,