Analysis of the presence of pathogens which predict the risk of disease at peri-implant sites through polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The presence of DNA of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia in the peri-implant sulcus samples of 19 partially edentulous patients was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and related to the depth of the peri-implant sulcus, bleeding on probing, and probable risk of disease. Ten of those patients presented a history of periodontal disease and nine of those did not. The DNA amplification of these pathogens was observed in seven samples, of which four were from patients without history of periodontal disease. The results suggest that even when significant inflammatory signs are absent the qualitative detection may indicate risk of peri-implantitis, requiring more strict postoperative control.