Dear Colleagues,

Implanted devices have proven to be a successful treatment modality in reconstructive surgeries. Nonetheless, implants are prone to microbial adhesion and biofilm accumulation once exposed to the external environment, which can ultimately trigger local inflammation in the surrounding tissues. Polymicrobial biofilm infections are considered the main reason for dental implant failure. Such biofilms are challenging to treat due to their complex microbial composition, tridimensional structure, and implant topography. This may explain the lack of consensus regarding effective treatment strategies for oral-implant-related infections. Notably, our understanding of biofilm formation on oral surfaces cannot be simply transferred to implant surfaces before being tested. Although recent evidence has highlighted some key factors modulating biofilm accumulation on the dental implant surface and the pathogenesis of implant-related infections, as well as risk factors, the transition from a healthy oral microbiome to a disease-associated microbiome on these biomaterials is still not fully understood. Understanding the pathogenesis process of implant-related infections will allow researchers and clinicians to develop effective therapeutic strategies. This may explain why most of the preventive and therapeutic approaches tested experimentally have not been translated into clinical practice, mainly the development of anti-fouling and antimicrobial surfaces.

This Special Issue is focused on the current evidence regarding the pathogenesis of dental implant-related infections and the development of strategies to prevent, control, or treat the disease. We invite the submission of research articles, reviews, communications, and perspectives on dental implant polymicrobial infections.

Dr. João Gabriel S. Souza
Dr. Martinna Bertolini
Prof. Dr. Jamil Awad Shibli
Dr. Valentim A. R. Barão
Guest Editors

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• microbial adhesion and biofilm accumulation on dental implants
• host-response
• development of antimicrobial implant surfaces
• therapeutic strategies
• antimicrobial effect
• peri-implant mucositis
• peri-implantitis