What is peri-implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory process that affects the soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants. The soft tissues (gum tissue) become inflamed and the hard tissue (bone) begins to diminish. This bone tissue surrounds the implant and provides support and retention, therefore it is a vital component of implant health and survival. Peri-implantitis can cause destruction of the bone tissue, which can be assessed with radiographs performed by your dentist.

The presence of plaque and its conglomeration around tissues is a common cause of peri-implantitis and related peri-implant disease. Therefore, adhering to a daily oral hygiene regimen as well as maintaining regular dental checkups are important steps to maintaining the health of dental implants.

Symptoms of peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis does not present in the same way for all patients, however initially presents in very predictable ways. After a dental implant has been successfully placed, the gum tissue surrounding the implant should maintain a healthy color of pink. Early signs that something may be amiss with your implant(s) are gums that are reddening and swollen, bleeding when you brush your teeth, soreness or irritation, a foul taste in your mouth or bad breath, and a noticeable looseness or wobbling of the implant. Symptoms don’t necessarily present themselves in the early stages of peri-implantitis as the implant is still fused to the deeper bone tissue and other tissue reactions can remain undetected.

Treatment of Peri-implantitis
Treatment can vary significantly, from non-surgical therapy designed to control the infection and detoxify the implant surface, to surgical procedures to regenerate bone tissue (alveolar bone) that has been lost. Treatment can prove to be challenging, depending on the severity. Routine dental checkups will help your practitioner detect warning signs so treatment can be started as quickly as possible.

If you are experiencing these or any other unusual symptoms, it’s important to contact your dental care provider immediately. If caught early, the more easily and successfully it can be treated with optimum results.