Peri-implantitis; Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
Have you noticed a loosening or weakening of your dental implant? While a little looseness is not totally uncommon, or instantly a sign of dismay, it is something you should follow up on.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an extremely popular tooth replacement option. When a patient is missing teeth, they are assessed for candidacy for dental implants. Dental Implants begin with an assessment, including x rays, and a complete review of the patient’s dental health history and history of infections. Then a Dental Implant anchor is placed through the gumline into the jawbone. After some healing time and osseointegration, the process of bone accepting the anchor, a dental implant crown and abutment can be attached to the anchor.
Dental Implants are incredibly secure and durable, often times lasting longer than the patient’s original teeth. However, over time complications can develop with your dental implant. One of the complications is known as Peri-Implantitis.
What is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-Implantitis is a condition wherein the gums and jawbones near the implant become inflamed or infected. Over time this causes structural damage to the implant and jaw. Peri-Implantitis can be caught early and cared for properly with proper routine checkups with your dentist. The signs and symptoms of Peri-Implantitis include; swelling, redness, looseness of the implant, bleeding of the gums near the implant, bad breath, and even pus or discharge.
Peri-Implantitis is discerned from similar inflammatory conditions by the loss of bone in the jaw. The only way to diagnose it and treat it is to maintain regular checkups with the dentist, radiography will be able to catch bone density loss. Patient’s earliest signs will include looseness in the implant, bleeding, or bleeding while brushing. If there is no evidence of bone loss, the inflammation is characterized as peri-mucositis, which is a more treatable condition which affects only the tissue around the implant.
What Causes Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-Implantitis, like most dental conditions, is most likely caused by improper dental hygiene, or a neglect of regular cleanings with a dental care professional. Once they have received a dental implant, a patient needs to develop a fastidious and attentive approach to dental health and hygiene. Food and organic material which finds its’ way into the crevices of gums and dental implants will harden, creating a surface area for bacteria to fester. This bacteria will agitate and degrade the soft tissue around the implant root, eventually degrading the supporting alveolar bone structure.
What is the Treatment for Peri-Implantitis?
Begin by seeing your dentist and receiving a diagnosis for Peri-Implantitis. Only a radiography scan can properly assess bone loss in the implant anchor. Once the diagnosis is decided, treatment will depend on the patient, their history of dental infections, and the dentist’s assessment. Some treatment options include surgery to help reinforce and rejuvenate the alveolar bone structure. The dentist may recommend a bone graft, which will require some recovery time. They will also pursue measures to clean and remove harmful bacteria from the site, and the patient’s entire mouth. Consult with your dentist and dental hygienist for next steps.