Red Flags for Peri-Implantitis: Symptoms Every Dental Implant Patient Should Know

There’s no denying that dental implants are a fantastic choice for anyone wishing to replace missing or damaged teeth. However, like natural teeth, they need to be cared for properly to remain healthy. One common complication for those with dental implants is peri-implantitis – a serious condition that, if left ignored, can lead to implant failure. Recognizing the tell-tale signs of early peri-implantitis is essential to avoid jeopardizing the health of your implants.  This article discusses the most common peri-implantitis symptoms and what action to take if you notice any of them. So, let’s jump in and take a look …

Understanding peri-implantitis

Peri-implantitis is a bacterial infection affecting both the soft and hard tissues surrounding a dental implant. It can be likened to gum disease as similarly it comprises two stages:

• Peri-implant mucositis – This early stage affects just the gum tissue surrounding the implant and if treated quickly, can be reversed.
• Peri-implantitis – Without treatment, the infection can quickly spread, causing bone erosion and potential implant failure.

Studies suggest that at some point, peri-implant mucositis affects around 45% of dental implant patients while 20% experience full-blown peri-implantitis. These statistics serve to show that awareness and early intervention are essential.

So, what symptoms should you be looking out for?

Red flags: Peri-implantitis symptoms

The following symptoms are signs of peri-implant mucositis, the early stage of peri-implantitis:

Gums bleeding when brushing or flossing: Healthy gums should never bleed whether you’re brushing, flossing or eating.

Redness and swelling around the implant site: This could be an indication of an underlying issue.

An unpleasant taste in the mouth or persistent bad breath: A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath (halitosis) can be the result of a bacterial build-up – a precursor to peri-implantitis.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should visit your dentist or hygienist as soon as you possibly can. Early intervention can help restore good oral health and protect your dental implants.

Ignoring these symptoms can cause the infection to spread, leading to a host of more severe symptoms and peri-implantitis:

Pus or discharge around the implant – This is conclusive evidence that you have an infection and requires immediate treatment by your dentist.

Discomfort or pain when chewing food – Dental implants should feel comfortable when you’re eating, just like your natural teeth. If your implant is causing discomfort, pressure or pain when you eat, there’s something not quite right, and you should reach out to your dentist.

Receding gums around the implant – Gum recession caused by infection or bone loss can make your implant appear taller than it was before.

Loose or wobbly implant: A stable implant should feel just like a natural tooth. If it feels loose or wobbly, it may be the bone supporting it has deteriorated – a sure sign of peri-implantitis.

So, these are the peri-implantitis symptoms to look out for, but why does the disease occur in the first place?

What’s the cause of peri-implantitis?

As bacteria accumulate on the implant’s surface, an immune response is triggered which leads to infection. Various factors can exacerbate the build-up of bacteria and increase the risk of peri-implantitis. These include:

• Smoking – Smoke intensity increases the risk of developing peri-implantitis as shown in this clinical study.
• Poor oral hygiene – Failure to brush or floss properly around dental implants causes a build-up of bacteria.
• History of gum disease – A previous history of periodontitis has also been proven in various studies, such as this one, to increase the risk of peri-implantitis.
• Diabetes – Patients with prediabetes or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes may also have a greater risk of developing peri-implantitis.
• Improper implant placement – If an implant hasn’t been placed correctly, it can be difficult to clean which, again, leads to a build-up of bacteria.

How to prevent peri-implantitis

Infection from peri-implantitis is more aggressive and spreads faster around dental implants compared to gum infections (periodontitis) around natural teeth. Why? Because teeth have natural defence mechanisms that are not present in dental implants.

For this reason, patients with implants must elevate their oral health to even higher levels and attend check-ups more frequently than other dental patients. Quitting smoking will also lower their risk of developing peri-implantitis.

It also pays to select a highly experienced dental implant dentist who utilizes the latest implant technology and top-name brands of implants.

How is peri-implantitis treated?

Peri-implantitis treatment aims to prevent the disease from spreading and, in some cases, get back some of the support an implant has lost. While not so long ago, the only solution for peri-implantitis was to remove the failing implant, nowadays, it’s possible to save the majority of implants provided patients put in the effort and work closely with their dentist.

The type of treatment depends on how far the disease has progressed. Treatment options include:

• Detecting and eliminating risk factors contributing to the disease: eliminating tobacco, improving oral hygiene techniques, and so forth.
• Performing a deep clean of the implant and the peri-implant mucosa (gum tissue) while the patient is under local anesthesia.
• Laser-assisted protocol – Laser therapy can promote healing and enhance bone growth in severe cases of peri-implantitis and shows good long-term success.
• Surgery - This may include bone grafting and regeneration in combination with antibiotics.

Following surgery, patients need to maintain their implants by attending regular cleaning and check-up appointments. If an implant affected by peri-implantitis isn’t kept meticulously clean, it can relapse relatively quickly.

Remember, the earlier peri-implantitis is detected and treated, the more successful the outcome is likely to be.

Final thoughts – Protect your implant investment

Peri-implantitis is a serious but preventable disease. By recognizing peri-implantitis symptoms early and taking the appropriate action, you can keep your implants in tip-top shape.

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, swelling, or discomfort around your implant, don’t ignore the warning signs. Schedule an appointment with Chesterfield Dentistry today!

Call us at 314-936-3621 or use our online booking system