Background: The localized antibiotics release around implant surface is recognized as promising method to suppress implant-associated infections.

Aim/Hypothesis: This review aimed to evaluate the effects of the local delivery of antibiotics incorporated in implant surfaces on the bone formation process.

Materials and Methods: An electronic search was undertaken in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase) in addition to hand searching. The search was limited to animal experiments using endosseous implants combined with localized antibiotics release. Meta-analyses were performed for the percentages of bone formation percentage and bone-to-implant contact (BIC).

Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Several methods were identified for local delivery of antibiotics at the bone-implant interface, but the most commonly used method was by coating (incorporating the implant surface with the antibiotic agents). Different antibiotic agents were used, namely bacitracin, doxycycline, enoxacin, gentamicin, minocycline, tobramycin, and vancomycin. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of BIC between implants with or without localized antibiotic release (P = 0.59). The meta-analysis revealed higher bone formation around implants coated with antibiotics compared to control groups (without antibiotics) (P < 0.01).

Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The findings of the present review suggest that the local administration of antibiotics around implants did not adversely affect the percentage of direct bone contact around implants. Meanwhile, there is and a tendency for a slightly better bone formation around implants when combined with local administration of antibiotics. It is a matter of debate whether these in vivo results will have the same effect in the clinical setting.