title: The microbiota of the peri-implant region in health and disease.
abstract: The subgingival microflora associated with dental implants has been shown to be similar to that associated with natural teeth. Like the natural tooth, a dental implant may be susceptible to a plaque-induced gingivitis which may progress to peri-implantitis. A similarity exists between the microbial flora around failing implants and organisms classically associated with periodontal disease. The same anaerobic gram-negative organisms are found in periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The periodontium must be in a healthy state before the placement of dental implants and constantly monitored while implants are in function for early detection of potential periodontal and/or prosthodontic problems. The relationship between the microbial flora around dental implants and peri-implantitis is discussed and recommendations are presented to improve the efficacy of dental implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry, Augusta 30912, USA.
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kurtzman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Garnick
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Steflik
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
mesh_terms: D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000382:microbiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants