Implant dentures have become the main method for the treatment of dentition defects or complete edentulism. However, due to the lack of periodontal ligament and periodontal ligament proprioceptors, implant dentures have very limited cushioning and sensing capabilities and are prone to occlusal overload. As a risk factor for peri-implantitis, occlusal overload seriously threatens the stability and success rate of implant dentures. This paper reviews the occlusal overload of implant dentures, the causal relationship between occlusal overload and plaque biofilms in peri-implantitis, the mechanism by which occlusal overload promotes peri-implantitis, and the effect of reasonable clinical occlusal adjustment on healing. This review shows that occlusal overload is closely related to the occurrence of peri-implantitis. Occlusal overload can promote the process of peri-implantitis by increasing the release of inflammatory factors and mechanical transduction mechanisms. The intervention of the patients' bad bite habits and occlusal adjustment can promote the healing of peri-implantitis. At present, there is no uniform standard ideal experimental model for occlusal overload. The phenomenon and mechanism of bone resorption around the implant caused by overload force still need further observation and research, which will help determine the intensity, direction and timing of occlusal loading to guide clinical occlusal adjustment.