Correlation between short‐chain fatty acids and peri‐implant disease: A cross‐sectional study

BackgroundTo explore the correlation between short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF) and peri‐implant diseases.MethodsPISF samples were obtained from implants that have been placed for at least 5 years, and peri‐implant clinical parameters were examined. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography were used to detect SCFAs in PISF. The correlation between SCFAs and clinical parameters was analyzed by Spearman's correlation. SCFAs related to peri‐implant disease were identified by logistic regression and ranked by random forest analysis.ResultsEighty‐six implants were divided into a peri‐implant health group (PIH‐group, 35 implants), peri‐implant mucositis group (PIM‐group, 25 implants), and peri‐implantitis group (PI‐group, 26 implants) according to clinical and radiographic examination results. The PIM‐group had significantly lower formic acid detection rate than the other two groups (p < 0.001). The PIM‐group had significantly higher levels of acetic, propionic, and isovaleric acids than the PIH‐group (p < 0.05). The PI‐group had significantly higher levels of propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric acids than the PIH‐group (p < 0.05). The PI‐group had significantly higher levels of butyric, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids than the PIM‐group (p < 0.05). SCFAs (apart from hexanoic and succinic acids) were significantly and positively correlated with clinical parameters (p < 0.05). SCFAs related to peri‐implant disease were ranked as follows: butyric, isovaleric, isobutyric, propionic, acetic, formic, and lactic acids.ConclusionsElevated specific SCFAs are correlated with peri‐implant disease. Recognition of this correlation may help in early identification of peri‐implant disease and guide further clinical interventions.