Preclinical in vivo research in implant dentistry. Consensus of the eighth European workshop on periodontology

Guidelines for improving the reporting in preclinical in vivo research (ARRIVE) have been recently proposed.

Aim: The aim was to assess to what extent the ARRIVE guidelines were considered in preclinical in vivo studies in implant dentistry.

Material and methods: Four comprehensive systematic reviews evaluated to what extent the ARRIVE guidelines were considered in preclinical in vivo studies in implant dentistry. Studies on the influence of implant material, surface and design on tissue integration to implants placed in pristine bone, in locally compromised sites and/or systemically compromised animals, as well as on peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis were evaluated. The four reviews introduced different modifications to the ARRIVE guidelines dedicated to the specific assignment of the review.

Results: A large variation in the frequency of reporting with regard to the items of the modified ARRIVE guidelines was observed. The reviews revealed that relevant information, e.g. sample size calculation, blinding of the assessor etc., was often not reported. It was also identified that several items in the ARRIVE guidelines may be less--if at all--applicable to research in implant dentistry.

Conclusion: It is suggested that researchers implement, whenever relevant, the ARRIVE guidelines during planning and reporting of preclinical in vivo studies related to dental implants.