Background: There is currently no consensus regarding microorganisms that may be considered true peri-implant pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to determine the weight of evidence for microorganisms related to peri-implantitis based on results of association studies.
Methods: This review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA). Two independent researchers searched PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to August 4, 2015, for studies comparing microbiologic outcomes of subgingival biofilm samples from healthy implants and implants with peri-implantitis.
Results: A total of 799 titles was identified and 11 studies were included in this review. All data were extracted using a predefined form. Microorganisms found in increased count/abundance/frequency in peri-implantitis belonged to Bacteria domain and viruses, and included a total of six bacterial phyla, 17 bacterial genera, 23 bacterial species, and two genera of viruses. The main bacterial species associated with peri-implantitis are recognized as periodontal pathogens.
Conclusion: Results of this systematic review suggest moderate evidence supporting association of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia and some evidence supporting association of Prevotella intermedia and Campylobacter rectus with the etiology of peri-implantitis.
Keywords: Dental implants; microbiology; osseointegration; peri-implantitis.