Without a doubt, dental implants are one of the best and most reliable solutions for missing teeth. With proper oral care, a dental implant can potentially last for a lifetime. However, in certain cases, a condition called peri-implantitis can develop, which may lead to implant failure.
In this blog, let’s understand what peri-implantitis is and how it can be treated to maintain the lifespan of dental implants.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the gum tissues and bone surrounding a dental implant. When these tissues become infected, the inflammation can worsen over time, causing pain and discomfort.
Factors Contributing To Peri-Implantitis
Some factors that may contribute to peri-implantitis include:
- Poor oral hygiene: If proper oral care is not maintained, the risk of infection and inflammation increases around the implant site.
- Smoking: Smoking restricts blood circulation and irritates the soft tissues, increasing the likelihood of gum infections.
- Improper implant placement: Implants placed in areas with insufficient bone thickness may be more vulnerable to infection.
- Diabetes: Uncontrolled or chronic diabetes can affect blood circulation and slow healing, making you more susceptible to peri-implantitis.
- Immune suppression: Those with a weakened immune system, whether due to illness or medications, are at a higher risk.
- Grinding or clenching teeth: Excessive force on implants due to harsh chewing or grinding can compromise the surrounding bone and gum tissues.
What Are The Signs of Peri-Implantitis?
It is possible that you may not notice any symptoms until the infection has spread. As it advances, it can affect the health of your gums and surrounding tissues. Here are some signs of peri-implantitis you should look out for:
- Swelling or redness around the implant
- Pus discharge from the implant site
- Pain or discomfort
- Tenderness in the gum tissues
- Implant mobility
- Foul taste or odor in the mouth
- Deep pockets around the implant
- Bone loss
How Can Peri-Implantitis Be Treated?
Peri-implantitis can be treated surgically or non-surgically, depending on the severity of your condition. The main aim of this treatment is to clean and decontaminate the tissues around the implant, preventing the infection from spreading further.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Non-surgical treatments include deep cleaning and antimicrobial therapy to remove harmful bacteria within the gum pockets. During this procedure, your periodontist or implant dentist will carefully clean the implant surface and thoroughly rinse the area to limit the infection.
Surgical Treatments
If the condition is more severe, surgical options may be necessary. Your treatment plan may include gum grafting, bone grafting, or the use of growth factors to restore the tissues around the implant and enhance its stability.
Conclusion
After a dental implant, peri-implantitis may develop if the surgical site is not taken care of. This may lead to implant failure. However, it can be treated using either surgical or non-surgical methods, depending on the severity of the condition.
Knowing the signs of peri-implantitis can help you seek immediate dental care if needed. If you have any queries, consult our board-certified periodontists at Perio Health Professionals. Contact our team at (346) 509-9060 today to schedule an appointment with us.
