Dental implants have a very high success rate, but any type of surgical procedure can come with risks. In a small percentage of people with dental implants, a condition called peri-implantitis can occur. This periodontal disease causes bone loss around the implant, resulting in an unstable implant. However, if this does occur, our expert oral surgical team at Stafford Oral Surgery & Specialists offers treatment options to stop the disease and save the dental implant.

Peri-implantitis can occur for a variety of reasons. In some cases, the elements from the dental implant can become an irritant that leads to an infection or bone loss. Screws or cement that hold the crown in place can go beneath the gumline and irritate the surgical site. There are also patient factors that can put them at higher risk for peri-implantitis, including:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Weak immune system
• Gum disease

In most cases, there are few symptoms when peri-implantitis begins. There is rarely any pain, but some patients do report tenderness or an ache around their implant. Receding gums, lengthened tooth, bleeding, pus or redness around the implant are possible symptoms and signs of this disease.

Saving Dental Implants with Peri-Implantitis

The biggest concern for most patients that are diagnosed with peri-implantitis is losing their dental implant. To stop the bone loss and save the implant, the infection must be stopped and the bone replaced. The area around the implant must be carefully disinfected and any irritants removed, such as excess cement or hardware that has slipped below the gumline. Once the area is clean, a bone graft can be put in place around the implant.

At Stafford Oral Surgery & Specialists, we are experts in treating the rare issues like peri-implantitis that can jeopardize dental implant success. If you have symptoms of peri-implantitis or bone loss was noticed on an x-ray at your last dental exam, contact our office for a consultation.