Dental implants in Columbus, Ohio, are one of the best dental restorations available. Unlike bridges, which rely on the surrounding teeth, or dentures, which can slip and fall, implants are inserted into the jawbone, offering a solid foundation for your new teeth.
This allows patients to restore one or several teeth with a long-lasting solution that will accompany them for years to come. However, despite all of the benefits dental implants have to offer, the procedure for getting one can be long and full of roadblocks. Infections, also known as peri-implantitis, are one of them.
Here, we’ll explain this condition and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you, such as avoiding implant failure.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is a condition that results from infections in the gums surrounding a dental implant. When this happens, the tissue becomes inflamed and begins to break down, which can cause pain, difficulty biting and chewing, and implant failure.
Moreover, if left untreated, the infection may spread to the bone, turning into a very dangerous condition.
Poor oral hygiene is usually the cause of peri-implantitis, so the main treatments involve a combination of antimicrobial therapy and deep cleaning. In extreme situations, the implant might need to be removed and replaced.
Compared to natural teeth, oral implants are less resilient to the erosion brought on by plaque accumulation. Therefore, it is still crucial to prevent the development of peri-implant diseases to maintain the health and stability of your natural and artificial teeth.
How Common is Peri-Implantitis?
The prevalence varies highly depending on the group of people you’re analyzing. Although it may develop in about 20% of implant recipients, the highest rates are seen in smokers, patients with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, and patients whose oral surgeon failed to identify a condition, such as gum disease, beforehand.
Moreover, the risk of developing the condition tends to increase over time, so people who have had an implant for several years now need to be especially careful. That’s why oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are fundamental, even after your implant has well bonded with your jaw and is set in place.
What Causes Peri-Implantitis?
As mentioned, the main cause of peri-implantitis is poor oral health. Failure to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day allows bacteria to build up below the gumline. This leads to bacteria accumulation, which creates a biofilm that is very harmful to your gums. Over time, it can lead to infection and inflammation of the gums surrounding your implants. Other risk factors that raise the chance of developing peri-implantitis include:
- Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, making them more likely to develop peri-implantitis. Additionally, smokers tend to accumulate more bacterial plaque.
- Due to reduced blood flow, people with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to develop peri-implantitis. Insufficient blood flow impairs your body's capacity to recover from wounds or infections.
- Patients with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to developing peri-implantitis. This includes people with conditions such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. A compromised immune system is unable to fight off the pathogens that cause peri-implantitis and periodontal disease, which leads to a more serious infection.
- Implants positioned incorrectly or areas that lack enough bone support raise the risk of a peri-implant infection.
- Excessive force applied to the implant, such as through teeth grinding, can result in peri-implantitis, also known as “overloading.” The pressure accelerates implant wear and damage, creating tiny cracks where bacteria can accumulate.
- Peri-implantitis can develop as a result of tissue irritation and inflammation at the implant site caused by an improperly fitted crown or other restoration.
- Your dentist or periodontist should arrange for at least one follow-up appointment after dental implant treatment so they can examine the implant and surrounding tissue for any issues. If you skip these follow-ups, minor issues may escalate into a more serious infection.
What Are Some Signs of Peri-Implantitis?
Just like gum disease, peri-implantitis has several stages. Its early stage is known as peri-implant mucositis, and it’s easier to treat than more advanced peri-implantitis, which is why prompt diagnosis is fundamental.
Some signs to look out for include:
- Swelling or redness around the implant site
- Suppuration, or pus, around the implant
- Pain or tenderness in the gums in the area
- A bad taste or smell in the mouth, also known as halitosis
- The implant becoming looser
What Are the Stages of Peri-Implantitis?
As we mentioned, there are several stages of peri-implantitis, and prompt identification of them can be crucial during the treatment of the infection. To help you understand them, here’s a breakdown of what the possess looks like:
- Initial Inflammation: During the first stage of peri-implantitis, the gums surrounding the implant start to swell and turn red due to the bacteria that have accumulated in the area.
- Progressive Inflammation: At this point, the implant's surrounding bone may begin to deteriorate due to the increased inflammation. Additionally, the gums may swell and hurt more.
- Advanced Peri-Implantitis: At this point, bone loss and inflammation surrounding the implant are worse. There may be obvious symptoms of infection, like pus, and the implant may come loose.
- Implant Failure: If peri-implantitis is not treated, the implant may eventually fail. At this stage, the implant must be removed entirely, and bone grafting or regeneration will be necessary before it can be tried again.
Early detection of peri-implantitis is fundamental to preventing significant harm and preserving the implant.
What's the Treatment for Peri-Implantitis?
By intervening early on, we can diagnose which stage of peri-implantitis you’re in and work out an effective treatment plan to stop its development. Usually, probing reveals soft tissue inflammation, while radiographs are needed to identify any bone loss and its progress.
Once we’ve identified it, peri-implantitis is usually treated with a combination of antimicrobial therapy and professional cleanings. The goal is to remove all the bacteria surrounding the implant before the infection continues expanding and let your body start healing itself.
A periodontist removes plaque and tartar from the implant surface and surrounding tissue using specialized tools, a process known as root scaling.
This will be complemented with antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical gels to eradicate bacteria and manage the infection. Chlorhexidine gluconate is a commonly used antimicrobial rinse for peri-implantitis.
If the peri-implantitis is severe or does not improve with non-surgical treatment, surgery is needed. During this, the infected bone and tissue will be removed to stop it from spreading, and antimicrobial agents may be inserted to help manage the infection.
How to Prevent Peri-Implantitis?
Proper planning beforehand makes a difference in preventing peri-implantitis and ensuring the success of your new dental restoration. Besides oral hygiene, proper placement of the implant in a healthy mouth is extremely important for successful implant outcomes.
Because of that, relying on an experienced dental professional who makes you undergo several tests and exams beforehand is crucial to reducing most potential issues in the first place.
Protect Your Dental Implants in Columbus, Ohio
Peri-implantitis can be a scary prospect, but preventing the disease is easier than it looks. By finding a qualified, reputable professional who has a history of former patients to prove the quality of their care and ensuring you don’t miss any mandatory check-ups, you can do most of the groundwork to ensure a long life for your dental implants
On the other hand, implant-related infections can also be easily prevented through proper oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings. If you’re worried about the state of your implant and would like to schedule a consultation to get a professional’s advice, reach out to Spectrum Dental & Prosthodontics!
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