Targeting Streptococcus salivarius in Peri-Implantitis

Peri-implantitis, a persistent complication associated with dental implants, is driven by complex, antibiotic-resistant oral biofilms. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) may represent novel, safe, and effective therapies against Streptococcus salivarius, a key early colonizer in peri-implant biofilms. S. salivarius was isolated and identified by 16S sequencing from human saliva, followed by standardized growth and biofilm assays to establish a physiologically relevant testing model. RR12 is a novel peptide that was rationally designed, synthesized, and characterized for structural integrity for comparison against KR12, a natural LL-37 derivative known to be effective against bacteria. Both peptides demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of S. salivarius biofilm formation, but KR12 consistently achieved superior antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects with lower cytotoxicity. These findings underscore the necessity of biological validation in peptide development and support the use of AMPs as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. AMP-based coatings and gels for dental implants could offer localized, resistance-proof infection control.