Peri-Implant Diseases
After a long process, you finally have your well crafted dental implants. You had an initial surgery, waited for the recovery and construction process, and now you have the full opportunity of your new teeth. However, there are some signs and symptoms you should be wary of as you learn to care for, and live with, your new dental implant.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth in your jaw. The process is long, and can be expensive, but dental implants are some of the best options available for long term tooth replacement. The Dental Implant procedure begins with an assessment of the patient’s health, dental history, history of infections, and jawbone strength. Then a surgery is performed to place the dental anchor into the gumline and jawbone. After some recovery after the initial placement, a dental implant can be attached to the anchor using an abutment. Dental Implants can be made of various tooth like, durable, and cost effective materials. If you are considering a dental implant for tooth replacement, discuss options with your dentist and insurance.
What Disease are associated with Dental Implants?
Peri-Implant diseases are not totally uncommon, but they do occur. The Dental Implant process involves taking into account the candidacy of the patient. Dentist’s do not often rush into the process without a positive outcome expected. However, like all dental diseases, inflammation and infection often occur. Dental Hygiene with implants should be almost identical to dental hygiene without. If not regularly cleaned, your teeth will accumulate plaque, which will probe into your gums and the roots of your teeth, and eventually cause infection and disease.
Peri-Mucositis- Peri-Mucositis is an inflammatory condition which causes soft tissue damage to the area around, and underneath (Peri), your dental implant. The damage is contained within the soft tissue, and does not affect the bone structure.The inflammation around the implant may cause some looseness, but it would not be as significant as the structural damage under an implant. Signs include: Bleeding, Looseness, Discharge, Bad Breath, tenderness/pain.
Peri-Implantitis- Peri-Implantitis is an inflammatory condition that is characterized by bone density loss around the implant location. The plaque buildup begins by inflaming the soft tissue, causing redness and bleeding. The implant will eventually begin to loosen more severely as the alveolar bone structure, which took some time to integrate with the implant, becomes damaged and brittle and breaks down. The only way Peri-Implantitis can only be diagnosed with a radiograph scan to record bone density and loss. Signs Include: Bleeding, Looseness, Pus, Discharge, Bad Breath, Bone Loss, Pain, Tenderness, Redness, Tooth Loss.
If you have a Dental Implant, care for it. Most inflammatory diseases can be avoided with proper dental hygiene. If you have a dental implant, and it becomes loose, immediately make an appointment with a dental care professional. The sooner you are seen and assessed for Peri-Implant disease, the sooner you can begin treatment, or correct the behavior affecting your implant.