PERI-IMPLANTITIS

Diagnosis: signs and symptoms

Its signs are similar to those of periodontitis: bleeding and red gums, sometimes pus formation, and bone loss that is noticeable on x-rays. The dentist uses the same methods to assess, diagnose and monitor this disease in implants as those used for periodontitis. However, it is important to know that the infection’s progression in dental implants is quicker and more aggressive than it is in teeth, given that teeth have defence mechanisms that implants unfortunately do not possess.

With regard to symptoms, the patient often does not note any changes and the disease goes unnoticed until detected by a dentist or hygienist. However, that doesn’t mean patient can relax. Peri-implantitis does not always mean the implant will be lost, but it does put it at risk and detection of this disease as soon as possible is vital considering early treatment is the most effective method to stop its progression.

Prevention

As mentioned above, the infection is more aggressive in implants than it is in teeth. For this reason, a patient with implants must have better oral hygiene and attend check-ups more frequently than a regular patient.

Reducing risk factors, starting by maintaining excellent oral hygiene and avoiding tobacco, are key to preventing a disease that is difficult to treat.

The manner in which implant surgery is performed is also important, as are the implant-based prosthesis design and the materials used. Consequently, the patient must choose wisely when selecting the dentist he or she wishes to trust with his or her oral health.

Treatment

The aim of treatment for peri-implantitis is to halt the disease’s progression and, in some cases, attempt to recover part of the support lost.

Treatment for peri-implantitis is not easy and it requires significant patient involvement. Today, it is possible to save the majority of implants with good treatment. Just a few years ago, the only treatment for this disease was extraction.

The type of treatment will depend on the degree of disease progression the patient presents:

• In all cases, the first step is to detect possible risk factors that are contributing to the disease and correct these if possible: eliminate tobacco, correct unsuitable prosthesis designs, improve oral hygiene techniques, etc.
• The second step is a non-surgical clean of the implant and the peri-implant mucosa. This is called a non-surgical treatment and it involves cleaning using curettes and ultrasounds (the same as periodontitis), performed while the patient is under local anaesthetic.

• In the majority of cases, a third stage – surgery – will be required. Depending on the severity and the type of defect the disease has created in the bone around the implant, a regenerative treatment may be applied to the bone defects, or a resective treatment, which aims to facilitate cleaning of the area and halt the disease’s advance.

In regeneration cases, surgical treatment is combined with the use of antibiotics.

• The last and most important stage is maintenance. After surgery, the patient must attend implant cleaning and check-up sessions. If not kept extremely clean, the implant affected by peri-implantitis will suffer a relapse in a relatively short space of time.

At our dental clinic in Valencia we specialise in preventing and resolving possible complications owed to dental implantology. Trust in our authentic specialists and put yourself in our hands!