Subgingival Microbiota in Peri-Implant Mucosa Lesions and Adjacent Teeth in Partially Edentulous Patients

Background: Osseointegrated dental implants have been shown to be a predictable approach to provide the adequate support for the replacement of missing teeth. It has been observed that implants showing signs of peri-implantitis contain subgingival microbiota similar to that around natural teeth with periodontal disease. This study identified the subgingival microbiota around implants with peri-implant lesions and natural teeth in partially edentulous patients. Methods: Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded and microbial samples taken from 16 implants with signs of pocketing, 12 neighboring and 11 non-neighboring teeth to the affected implants in 11 patients and 15 stable implants in eight patients (controls). Samples were cultured using techniques for Enterobacteriaceae spp and facultative/anaerobic periodontal pathogens. Statistical analysis included Friedman test to establish differences between the subgingival microbiota cultured from implants and teeth and two-tailed Mann Whitney test and...