What is Peri-Implantitis? What You Need to Know
Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular in modern dentistry. For patients who receive implants, they are generally a very safe and natural-looking treatment option. Dental implants have a very high success rate; however, as with any procedure, there is always a risk of complications. One thing that all implant patients should know about is peri-implantitis.
What is peri-implantitis?
It is an inflammation of the tissue around a dental implant. Similar to gum disease found around natural teeth, peri-implantitis affects both the soft tissue (gums) and the hard tissue (bone) that support the implant. Severe peri-implantitis can result in loss of bone and cause implant failure.
How peri-implantitis differs from gum disease
Peri-implantitis closely resembles periodontitis, also known as gum disease, with a few exceptions:
- Where: around a dental implant.
- Progression: Frequently progresses much quicker than gum disease because implants don’t have natural periodontal ligaments to protect them.
- Detection: Early stages of peri-implantitis can go unnoticed without frequent dental visits and x-rays.
Causes of Peri-Implantitis
Risk factors that may lead to peri-implantitis include:
- Oral bacteria: Oral bacteria can cause this if you don’t practice good oral hygiene, and bacteria build up on the implant.
- Pressure or stress on your implants: Bruxism (grinding your teeth) or excessive force on your implant may irritate the soft tissues around your implant.
- Smoking: Smoking tobacco can cause implant problems.
- Illnesses or conditions: Diseases like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or other conditions that affect your ability to heal can lead to peri-implantitis.
- Past Periodontal Disease: Research shows that if you’ve had gum disease in the past, you are more susceptible to this.
Symptoms to Watch For
As with many diseases, when peri-implantitis is caught early, there is a better chance of it being treated successfully. Here are some symptoms to look for if you think you might have peri-implantitis:
- Gums around the implant are red, swollen, or bleed easily
- Pain/discomfort around the implant
- Gums pulling away from the implant
- Pus/discharge coming from the implant site
- Implant becoming loose (advanced stage)
Prevention and Maintenance
Preventing peri-implantitis starts with proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups:
- Brush twice daily and clean around implants gently with floss. You may also want to use an interdental brush to clean between your teeth.
- Attend regular checkups and professional cleanings.
- Stay tobacco-free and eat a nutritious diet.
- See your dentist right away if you notice any signs of infection.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the severity of peri-implantitis:
- Non-Surgical Therapy: In mild cases, professional cleaning combined with antibiotics and antimicrobial mouth rinses may be effective.
- Surgical Intervention: Severe bone loss can be restored with surgery, such as bone grafts or flap surgery.
- Implant Replacement: In rare cases where the implant cannot be saved, removal and replacement may be considered.
Peri-implantitis can be treated if detected early enough. With great dental hygiene practices at home and routine dental visits, implant patients can have great results that last a lifetime. Make sure to take care of any symptoms you may experience and know what puts you at risk for peri-implantitis to help keep your dental implants and your mouth healthy.