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Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants)

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - What is it for

​Peri-Implant Diseases


  • Peri-implant diseases are caused by bacteria build-up on the dental implant surface
  • This causes inflammation of the gums surrounding the implant. This is known as peri-implant mucositis

Plaque deposits around implants
  • If left untreated, mucositis can progress to a more severe condition called periimplantitis, where bone around the implant is lost. This condition is difficult to treat. Eventually, the implant becomes loose and has to be removed
An implant with extensive bone loss, which has to be removed

Who is at risk?

  • Patients with poor oral hygiene
  • Patients with gum disease (periodontitis)
  • Patients who do not attend regular dental check-ups
  • Patients who smoke

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

  • Gums around the implant bleed easily
  • Gum swellings
  • Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
  • Loosening of the implant

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - How to prevent?

How can I prevent it?

  • Good oral hygiene at home is key to preventing periimplant diseases
  • Regular dental check-ups after the implant is placed, especially if you have a history of gum disease
    - Periodic X-rays will be taken to monitor bone levels around the implant
  • Quit smoking

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - Causes and Risk Factors

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - Diagnosis

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - Treatments

I have an implant diagnosed with peri-implant disease. What is the treatment?

For mild cases (peri-implant mucositis), self maintenance of good oral hygiene around your dental implant, as well as regular professional cleaning by your dentist/hygienist may be enough to control the disease

In severe cases where bone around the implant has been lost, additional gum surgery may be required. This may involve:    
- Bone grafting to reconstruct bone support which has been lost


Bone loss around an implant with a bony defect


Bone grafting within the defect

- Gum grafting to improve the quality of gums


Lack of good quality gum tissues around the bottom right back molar implants


After gum surgery, an increased width of good quality gum tissues is created around the implants

- Surgery to trim bone irregularities around the implant
- Implantoplasty, where threads of the implant are flattened


An implant receiving implantoplasty, with trimming of the surrounding bone to create a healthy bone architecture

- Adjustment or remake of the implant crowns


Before adjustment of the crowns


After adjustment of the crowns: more space to allow for insertion of interdental brushes to maintain oral hygiene at the area


An example of how an interdental brush is inserted between implants

In many cases, a combination of the above is needed. If the disease has progressed too far, the above treatment may be insufficient and removal of the implant may be necessary.
 

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - Preparing for surgery

Peri-Implant Mucositis and Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease around Dental Implants) - Post-surgery care

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