Oral irrigator in patients with dental implants as a prevention strategy against oral diseases

Literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Dental implant maintenance requires effective preventive strategies that promote biofilm reduction and prevent peri-implantitis. Oral irrigators have gained relevance as a complementary tool to conventional hygiene, allowing for improved peri-implant tissue health by mechanically removing biofilm in hard-to-reach areas. Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to analyze the effectiveness of oral irrigators in patients with dental implants. The search was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar, considering articles published between 2020 and 2025 in English or Spanish. The keywords “oral irrigator,” “dental implant,” and “peri-implant prevention” were used with Boolean operators. Studies evaluating the impact of irrigators on peri-implant health were included, and duplicate studies or those without direct clinical relevance were excluded. Results: The reviewed studies show that oral irrigators, when combined with conventional brushing, significantly improve biofilm removal in peri-implant areas, reduce soft tissue inflammation, and prevent the progression of mucositis to peri-implantitis. Furthermore, the devices facilitate hygiene in hard-to-reach areas and are well tolerated by patients with motor limitations or complex prostheses. Conclusions: Oral irrigators are an effective strategy for peri-implant prevention, promoting biofilm control and tissue health around the implant.