Dental implants are increasingly becoming the preferred method of replacing missing teeth. The strength and stability that they provide means that you can eat comfortably and also clean your teeth much more easily than is the case with dentures. They are straightforward to look after, and it is important that you do, as things can go wrong if not. One particular concern is a disease known as peri-implantitis.
This is an inflammatory condition which affects the tissues around a dental implant and, if it is allowed to progress, can eventually lead to bone loss and threaten the stability of the implant.
The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce the risk, and early signs can often be dealt with before the problem becomes more serious.
Peri-implantitis is a form of inflammation that develops around a dental implant. It is broadly similar to advanced gum disease around a natural tooth. It usually begins with bacteria and plaque accumulating around the implant. This can cause inflammation in the gum tissue. At an early stage this may be described as peri-implant mucositis, which affects the soft tissues but has not yet caused significant bone loss.
If the inflammation continues, the bone supporting the implant can gradually be lost. This is when the condition becomes peri-implantitis. This is a more serious stage as an implant relies on the surrounding bone for its stability. Significant bone loss can therefore compromise the implant itself.
Poor oral hygiene is one of the main risk factors. If plaque is allowed to build up around an implant, the bacteria within it can irritate the surrounding tissues.
There can also be other contributing factors. A previous history of gum disease can increase the risk, as can smoking. Some people may also find it difficult to clean effectively around their implant because of its position or the shape of the crown attached to it.
Peri-implantitis does not always cause obvious symptoms in its early stages, and this is one reason regular dental examinations at the Smile Dental Practice in Croydon are important. There are, however, some things you should certainly watch out for. These can include red or swollen gums around an implant, bleeding when cleaning the area, tenderness, bad breath or an unpleasant taste. As the condition progresses, there may be increasing discomfort or the implant may eventually begin to feel loose.
A loose implant should never be ignored. It does not necessarily mean that the implant has failed, but it needs to be examined by a dentist as soon as possible.
Looking after an implant is not particularly complicated, but it does require consistency.
Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is still important, and cleaning between the teeth using floss or an interdental brush is equally valuable. Your dentist or hygienist can show you the most effective way of doing this. There is no point struggling with a cleaning method that does not reach the areas where plaque is accumulating.
Regular dental appointments with our Croydon dentists are also important. They can check both the implant and the surrounding tissues and look for changes that you may not notice yourself.
If you smoke, stopping can also reduce the risk of problems around dental implants. Smoking affects the health of the gums and can interfere with the body's ability to deal with any inflammation that occurs and with healing too.
Any treatment for Peri-implantitis will depend on how advanced the problem has become. If inflammation is detected early, professional cleaning around the implant combined with improved home care may be enough to bring the condition under control. The aim is to remove the bacterial deposits and give the surrounding tissues a chance to recover.
More established peri-implantitis can be more difficult to treat. Our dentists may need to clean the implant surface more thoroughly and address areas where bacteria have become difficult to reach. In some cases, treatment may involve surgery to gain better access to the affected area. If bone has been lost, procedures to regenerate or replace some of the missing bone may sometimes be considered.
The appropriate treatment will depend on the individual implant and the amount of damage that has occurred.
Early diagnosis is important for this very reason. An implant affected by inflammation is not automatically a failed implant. If the problem is identified and treated early enough, it may be possible to control the disease and preserve the implant.
However, if extensive bone loss has occurred and the implant has become unstable, removal may eventually be necessary. There is no guaranteed treatment that will save every implant, so prevention and early intervention remain preferable to dealing with advanced disease.
It is easy to think of a dental implant as something that has been permanently fixed into the mouth and therefore needs little attention. In reality, the implant itself may not decay in the same way as a natural tooth, but the tissues around it can still become diseased.
This is why good cleaning, regular examinations and professional maintenance are such an important part of having implants. If you notice bleeding, swelling, persistent discomfort or any change around an implant, mention it to our team rather than waiting for it to settle.
If you would like any further information on this subject or are considering having dental implants but are not sure about anything, why not give us a call and we can arrange for you to have an initial consultation with one of our dentists to discuss this? You can contact the Smile Dental Practice Croydon on 020 8649 7911.
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