Implant surface factors and bacterial adhesion: a review of the literature

The microbiota that forms on implant surfaces placed in the human body can be highly resistant to antimicrobial agents and in some cases cause life-threatening infections. Consequently, to limit bacterial attachment to these surfaces and thereby minimize the risk of implant infection, the process of biofilm formation and bacterial attachment must be well-understood. The oral environment is considered to be an excellent model for research into biofilm formation and implant infection, accounting for many studies carried out in the field of dental medicine. Those studies show that the roughness, free energy, and material characteristics of the implant surface largely determine initial bacterial adhesion. This article reviews the relevant literature on these aspects of biofilm formation.