Microbiological Factors of Peri-Implantitis: Characteristics and Significance

The importance of dental biofilms in the etiology of peri-implantitis has been extensively studied. Although peri-implant disease has similarities to periodontal disease, the microbiome composition isolated in peri-implantitis and periodontitis are distinctly different. Peri-implantitis represented a heterogeneous infection of more complexity predominantly composed of non-cultivable Gram-negative species compared with periodontitis. The microbiota presents in peri-implantitis is more diverse and a large proportion is composed of gram-negative bacteria species. Peri-implantitis was shown to be associated with certain pathogens (e.g. Gram-negative anaerobic periopathogens and opportunistic microorganisms). In this chapter, microbiological characteristics in 1. Healthy implants vs healthy natural teeth, 2. Peri-implant mucositis vs gingivitis, 3. Periodontitis vs peri-implantitis, as well as the progression of the disease from healthy implants to peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis will be discussed. In addition, implant surface characteristics, the implant-abutment interface, and the internal compartment of the implants are all areas that should be considered as when targeting foci to reduce bacterial load and in the treatment of peri-implantitis.