The implant device lacks tooth characteristic structures such as root cementum, periodontal ligament, and bundle bone (alveolar bone proper). The dento‐alveolar and the dento‐gingival fiber bundles connect the soft tissues with the tooth (root cementum), while no such fiber bundles are apparent in the peri‐implant tissues. At periodontally healthy sites, the margin of the gingiva follows the outline of the cemento‐enamel junction, while at a corresponding implant site the mucosal margin follows the contour of the crestal bone (multiple implants) or relates to the connective tissue adhesion at adjacent teeth (single implants). The tooth is mobile within its socket, while the implant is rigidly anchored (ankylosed) to the surrounding host bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The healthy peri‐implant mucosa is comprised of a core of connective tissue covered by either a keratinized or non‐keratinized epithelium. Most of the intrabony part of the implant is in contact with mineralized bone, while the remaining portion faces bone marrow, vascular structures, or fibrous tissue. The characteristics of peri‐implant tissues in health are properly identified in the literature. According to the available definitions of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis, the absence of signs of clinical inflammation is necessary for concluding that a site has peri‐implant health.