Purpose: The present study investigates the association between a specific polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-␣ gene, consisting of allele 2 of TNF-␣ Ϫ308 , and periimplant bone loss following prosthetic reconstruction. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 36 patients (20 women, 16 men; mean age 46 years) who had used implant-supported prostheses for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 31 months. The patients were nonsmoking, white Caucasian Brazilians, in

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... general health, and were not receiving medication. In the case group, patients exhibited 1 or more implants with a diagnosis of periimplant bone loss following prosthetic reconstruction; control patients had 1 or more healthy implants. Results: Polymorphism in the TNF-␣ gene, allele 2 of TNF-␣ Ϫ308 , was not associated with an increased risk for peri-implant bone loss following prosthetic reconstruction (P ϭ 0.19; 2 ϭ 1.71; df ϭ 1), although 21.1% of the subjects carried allele in the control group 2, and 41.2% carried allele 2 in the case group. Conclusions: Polymorphism in allele 2 of the TNF-␣ Ϫ308 gene is not associated with an increased risk for peri-implant bone loss following prosthetic reconstruction. However, further studies based on a greater number of patients are necessary. (Implant Dent 2007;16:80 -88)