The Applicability of Core Community Ecological Theories in Periodontitis

Abstract

The field of ‘microbial ecology’ has gained much attention from the scientific community, especially in the past decade with the fastest improvements in ‘omics’ technologies. There is substantial evidence on commonalities in ‘community ‘in both ‘macro’ and ‘micro’ ecosystems. However, cross system comparisons in research arena needs much efforts ever than before. Periodontitis is a major public health threat, being the commonest ‘poly microbial’ disease across the globe. Here we suggest the possibility of applying six core community ecology theories: succession, community assembly, meta-community dynamics, multi-trophic interactions in initiation and progression of periodontitis from the normal healthy status and restoration. Now the time has come for the collaboration of microbiome researchers and applied scientists to uncover complex species interactions and make the cross-system comparisons. Findings of such research in ‘community ecology’ will shed light into precision periodontal management and optimized treatment outcomes from molecular perspectives through to public health perspectives.