Tags – Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is a condition that can occur around dental implants.
It’s an infectious disease that causes inflammation of gum and affects the bone structure around a dental implant.
If left untreated, peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure, and the plant can eventually fall out.
In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of peri-implantitis.
What is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an infection of the soft and hard gum tissues and bone structure surrounding a dental implant that can produce pain, swelling, and redness.
Bone loss can be caused by chronic inflammation, which may result in a loose implant that may fall out over time.
Dental implants are more likely to suffer from peri-implantitis than natural teeth. And this is due to the fact that dental implant attachments are considerably more fragile.
Consequently, harmful germs may develop in the mouth if the gums are loose around the implants, causing damage to the bone.
Causes of Peri-Implantitis
Some of the most common causes of peri-implantitis include:
- Bad oral hygiene
- Smoking/heavy use of tobacco
- Periodontitis
- Diabetes
- Grinding teeth
And because an implant cannot be bonded as simply to the gums as natural teeth, there is extra gum movement around the implant, allowing germs and bacteria to accumulate and cause inflammation.
In the long term, this inflammation can lead to peri-implantitis and worse, bone loss.
Symptoms of Peri-Implantitis
By recognising the signs and symptoms early on, this can help to prevent extreme infection and bone loss. These symptoms include:
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling and redness of the soft tissue
- Pus around the implant
- Bone loss around the implant
- Pain near the implant
- Sore gums
Treatment for Peri-Implantitis
The treatment for peri-implantitis should focus on containing the infection.
And maintaining a healthy level of oral health, particularly around dental implants is the first place to start.
In other words, before, during, and after implant surgery you can decrease the danger of infection by following a rigorous tooth care regimen – this level of aftercare for dental implants will help your new teeth live a long life.
So, brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, or if possible more frequently, with a high-quality toothpaste to maintain, or even improve, your oral health.
Then, clean between your teeth with floss or an interdental brush, and finish by rinsing thoroughly with mouthwash to complete the process.
In extreme cases, surgery may be required. Alternatively, antibiotics, as well as laser or ultrasonic therapy, can be used to treat the condition if you choose not to go through with surgery.
If you’d like to know more, please get in touch today.
In the meantime, take a look at our Dental Implant treatment here.
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