How often should implant patients have professional maintenance?

Based on the indexed literature, a definitive universal frequency cannot be stated, but several findings help guide clinical decisions.

A minimum recall interval of 5 to 6 months is supported by meta-analytic data showing that peri-implant maintenance therapy (PIMT) interval significantly influences the incidence of peri-implantitis, and that implants under PIMT have a lower rate of failure compared to those without it ^[1]. Supportive peri-implant care every 6 months is also the practical recommendation drawn from a systematic review of full-arch prosthesis patients, with prosthesis removal at least once per year ^[2].

For patients who have already been treated for peri-implantitis, a 3-month recall interval was generally associated with a slightly lower percentage of disease recurrence, though recurrence still tended to increase over time regardless of interval ^[3]. This underscores that higher-risk patients likely warrant shorter recall intervals.

Across all the evidence, the consistent message is that frequency should be tailored to the individual patient's risk profile, including history of periodontitis, oral hygiene compliance, and prosthesis design ^[2][1][4]. SPT has been shown to significantly improve implant survival rates and reduce both peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis compared to no SPT ^[4], making a structured recall programme essential regardless of the exact interval chosen.