First, let’s define peri-implantitis, a term associated with dental implants. It happens in patients that already have dental implants and suddenly present an infection that causes inflammation on the bone and gum around the integrated implant that leads to an important loss of supporting bone.
For different reasons the loss of bone around a dental implant may occur without the patient being aware of it. It is not a generalized condition, and definitely does not happen in all cases. Some patients could develop it early right after having a crown placed or it may happen many years later. Dental implants are the best option to replace a natural tooth – but only when properly done.
It could be caused by different factors: smoking, medical issues such as diabetes, osteoporosis, also if you are a patient with a poor immune system. If in the past you have had gum disease, if your oral healthcare is poor and also if you grind your teeth. Cement left and not removed when an implant crown is cemented. A poorly placed implant. When your bite is not corrected or controlled. All these factors might contribute to the risk for dental implant bone loss.
How to recognize if you have peri-implantitis
- gum pockets deepen around the implant
- pus comes out from the implants and gums causing bad taste and bad breath.
- bleeding at the gumline
- appearance – gum is red, or slightly purplish bluish, tartar/plaque build up
- progressive loss of supporting bone on x-rays
- metal thread exposure
- cement may also cause peri-implantitis. Cement is an irritant material.
How to avoid peri-implantitis
You cannot let an inexperienced dentist deal with it. You have to find the proper dental specialist. Someone who knows this type of situations and know how to avoid it. At implantation Dental Center, Dr. Mauricio Hervas, a board certify prosthodontist routinely performs this type of procedures to help prevent or treat peri-implantitis.
Dr. Hervas has been restoring and placing dental implants for the past 15 years. He has developed many techniques to avoid not only peri-implantitis but other dental issues from occurring. He has also developed techniques that are more predictable. He has successfully regenerated bone around many implants over the last 15 years in practice. We have to be realistic when an implant has had too much bone loss!! If the peri-implantitis case is severe is better to remove the implant and place a new one.
Remember that just because one implant may have failed or develop bone loss, it doesn’t mean the second one will.
Dr. Mauricio Hervas knows how to take care of your dental needs. And most importantly, how to proceed in each individual procedure. Our dental assistants will take 3-D xrays, to see the inside surface.
Some patients might consider dental implants and restorative procedures expensive. And only when incidents like peri-implantitis arise, do they realize the importance of the best dental specialist, the best techniques and the best materials. It is also super important to consider how the crown is made of, having as a result the longevity of the dental implant in the bone.
Some low-budget implants have poorly designed screws or have micro motion when you chew creating pathway to perimplantitis.
The main objective long term is to stop the progression of bone loss and maintain your dental implants! Generally speaking the area will need to be cleaned thoroughly using dental instruments. Often, antibiotics will be prescribed and special antibacterials applied. For more information please call us Implantation Dental Center, at 954.476.0770.
