Modern restorative dentistry has evolved over the past few decades, allowing patients to easily restore the health, appearance, and function of their teeth. One of the most popular forms of restorative dentistry is dental implants.
Traditional dental implants and All-on-4® implants are a great way to restore functionality to the mouth and offer a natural-looking, fixed alternative to dentures. However, like regular teeth, implants are susceptible to infections.
Peri-implantitis is one of the few complications that can occur with dental implants. It is an inflammatory condition that, when left for too long, can erode the bone structure, which is critical for supporting dental implants of any kind.
If you’re considering All-on-4® dental implants, it’s important to understand all the potential health problems so you can make an informed decision. This article will cover everything you need to know about peri-implantitis, peri-implantitis treatment options, and why it occurs.
Why Does Peri-Implantitis Occur?
Before we delve into how peri-implantitis occurs, it’s important to understand peri-implantitis is the second (and final) step of the peri-implant disease. The peri-implant disease occurs in two stages: peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.
Peri-implant mucositis refers to the early stages of peri-implant disease. It doesn’t impact the bone surrounding the implant but instead the soft tissue. If peri-implant mucositis is left untreated, it progresses into peri-implantitis.
Peri-implantitis is typically caused by poor oral health and hygiene habits. Many factors can contribute to peri-implantitis, including:
- Smoking and/or vaping
- Diet
- Diabetes or other similar pre-existing medical conditions
- A suppressed immune system
- Poor dental implant placement
- Bad oral hygiene habits, such as forgetting to floss or poor brushing technique
Some of these factors can be controlled, like smoking and oral hygiene habits. These factors contribute to the risk factor of peri-implantitis occurring because it allows for bacteria to build up below the gumline.
Bacteria play a massive role in the development of peri-implantitis, although it isn’t the only factor. Peri-implantitis is a risk that all patients seeking dental implants, including traditional dental implants and All-on-4® implants, face.
Signs of Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis symptoms are similar to gum disease. Early detection of peri-implantitis symptoms is critical for treatment and saves you the stress of potential surgical treatment later to remedy the issue.
Common signs and symptoms of peri-implantitis include:
Bleeding
An increased tendency for the gums to bleed during brushing and interdental cleaning is a key sign of peri-implantitis.
Redness and swelling
Peri-implantitis can cause the gum surrounding the implant to appear red and swollen. If you notice this after implant surgery, contact your dental surgeon immediately.
Tender to touch
Another key sign of peri-implantitis is that the implant site and surrounding gum will be tender and sore to touch.
Taste
In some cases, patients with peri-implantitis report a bad taste in their mouth.
Loose implant(s)
In cases of advanced peri-implantitis, it can cause lesions or bone loss, which can cause loose implants. If you notice this, contact your dental clinic as soon as possible.
Discharge
In some cases, pus can be present around the implant site, which is a key signal of an infection.
Peri-implantitis is a serious condition and can affect dental implant suitability. If you’ve undergone implant surgery and notice any of the above signs or symptoms, we recommend contacting your dental clinic immediately.
Treatments for Peri-Implantitis
When it comes to diseases like peri-implantitis, the best cure is usually prevention. Like gingivitis, peri-implant mucositis (the first stage) can be prevented and treated by good oral hygiene habits and professional cleaning.
If you do happen to contract peri-implant mucositis or it progresses into peri-implantitis, there are a few treatment strategies.
- The first step in treating peri-implantitis, especially in its early stages, is through professional non-surgical therapy together with professional cleaning and mouthwashes. This can help reduce the number of bacterial deposits and combat peri-implantitis.
- In some cases, antibiotics can be used to help fight peri-implantitis, following non-surgical treatment tactics. This can help control the infection.
- Antimicrobial therapy, like antimicrobial mouth rinses or topical gels, is also a non-surgical method for killing bacteria and controlling peri-implantitis. Chlorhexidine gluconate is typically the go-to for treating peri-implantitis.
- Once the inflammation has been controlled, surgical treatment can be considered if required. This will depend on the damage and severity of peri-implantitis.
For example, if the bone loss is severe, bone grafting surgery may be required. Implantoplasty is also another popular surgical treatment that can help with peri-implantitis. This is where the threads on a screw of a dental implant are removed to leave a polished implant surface that is easier to treat.
Most of the time, a combination of these treatments is used to combat the disease. In many peri-implantitis cases, the soft tissue is also severely impacted and damaged. This usually requires grafting procedures, like taking tissue from the patient’s soft palate to repair it.
The earlier peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis are detected, the better. It increases the chances of effective treatment and reduces the risk of soft tissue and bone damage.
Preventing Peri-Implantitis
The best way to prevent peri-implant mucositis from occurring and progressing to peri-implantitis is by ensuring plaque doesn’t build up around your implant. To do so, it is crucial to commit to proper oral hygiene habits and follow implant aftercare procedures as described by your dental surgeon.
It is also advisable to see your dental surgeon for the regularly scheduled check-ups. Don’t ever skip an appointment or keep putting it off. It’s important to regularly see your dental professional to ensure the implant process is going smoothly and catch any early warning signs for complications.
Good oral hygiene habits include:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily.
- Regularly clean between your teeth after meals using a flosser or Waterpik. If food particles aren’t removed from around your teeth, it can foster the growth of bacteria, increasing the risk of infections like peri-implantitis.
- Review your lifestyle habits. Smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol and diet can play a massive role in the build-up of bacteria growth. It's important to avoid these habits, especially before and after dental implant surgery.
Renew Your Smile At Next Smile Australia
Start your journey to a new smile and set of teeth with Next Smile Australia today. If you’re interested in All-on-4® implants, you can take our online suitability assessment or book a consultation with one of our All-on-4® dental surgeons today. During this consultation, the All-on-4® dental surgeon will review your medical and dental history, which will be used to determine candidacy for the All-on-4® treatment. The dental surgeon will also take scans of your jaw and discuss your treatment goals with you.
The consultation is also the best time for you to ask any questions about the All-on-4® treatment. The dental surgeon will also provide you with a step-by-step overview of the process to give you a better idea of what to expect, as well as information regarding post-surgery steps and aftercare.
If you want to learn more about All-on-4® before booking a consultation, we host regular webinars and information on our website about the treatment. That way, you can learn more about Next Smile Australia and what we do from the comfort of your own home.
If you have any questions about All-on-4® implants, queries about the recovery process, or want to book a consultation, contact us today. The Next Smile Australia team would love to hear from you.