TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL MEDICINE - Georgian Medical Journal

Abstract

Background:
Plaque-induced gingivitis is associated with subgingival microbiome alterations, but their consistency and clinical relevance remain unclear.

Objective:
To summarize recent evidence on subgingival microbiome composition and diversity in gingivitis based on 16S rRNA sequencing studies.

Methods:
A narrative synthesis of experimental, observational, and interventional studies assessing subgingival microbiome profiles in health and gingivitis was performed.

Results:
Experimental models showed increased Bacteroidota and Fusobacteriota and decreased Bacillota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota. Genera such as Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Capnocytophaga, and Porphyromonas were enriched during plaque accumulation. Alpha diversity findings were inconsistent, whereas beta diversity analyses consistently detected compositional shifts. Clinical and interventional studies reported limited changes in overall diversity despite improvement in gingival inflammation. Longitudinal data indicated incomplete return to baseline microbial composition after short-term resolution.

Conclusion:
Gingivitis is associated with reproducible shifts in subgingival microbial composition, primarily reflecting changes in relative abundance within existing communities. Microbiome alterations may persist beyond clinical recovery, and diversity metrics show variable sensitivity. Further standardized longitudinal studies are required.

Keywords

Subgingival microbiome; gingivitis; 16S rRNA; microbial diversity; periodontal disease; dysbiosis; oral microbiology