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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
If you have any questions about Peri-Implantitis and All-on-4® implants, queries about the recovery process, or want to book a consultation, contact us today.
With 7 Super Clinics across Australia and a network of accredited regional partners, reliable dental implant care is always within reach. From your first consultation to lifelong aftercare, our coordinated network delivers complete implant solutions – all under one roof.