You took the time to have your dream home built exactly according to your specifications. This process included counting the cost of the materials, hiring the proper workers, and taking every measure to make certain that your home sits on a strong foundation. To guarantee that it lasts a long time, you regularly tend to it and keep it clean, and you take steps to preserve its foundation. Neglecting upkeep, on the other hand, is a surefire way for the foundation to crack which will, in turn, threaten the structural integrity of your home. It is no different with gum disease and implants.
If you lost teeth and want to replace them, dental implants are a fantastic choice. They ensure false teeth remain stable, and they will enable you to have a beautiful smile that will enhance your confidence. The way that dental implants are like your natural teeth, however, is that they need proper care to remain healthy. Neglecting dental hygiene can cause peri-implantitis to develop, which will negatively impact the longevity, stability, and health of artificial teeth.
Overview of peri-implantitis and its relevance to dental implants
If you contemplate procuring dental implants or already have them, it is critical that you understand peri-implant disease and how it can affect you. This infection can lead to inflammation of the tissues around your implants, and it can further progress to gum recession and bone loss. If the problem persists long enough, you will experience implant failure, which is immensely difficult to mitigate.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Definition and explanation of the condition
This disease only occurs in individuals who have dental implants, hence the name peri-implantitis. When this dental implant infection first develops, you experience inflammation. Over time, the bone that supports the implants faces gradual destruction. Failing to seek treatment in a timely manner will lead to further complications, such as the loosening of artificial teeth. Implant failure occurs in the severest of cases. It is essential that you stay on the lookout for symptoms and seek treatment as soon as you notice them to keep your implants in top shape and prevent any further issues.
Causes of Peri-Implantitis
There are a wide range of factors that can contribute to the development of this condition. The following are the most common.
Poor oral hygiene
Just as you must properly care for your natural teeth, dental implants are no different. You must clean them regularly to remove bacteria and plaque. Failing to establish a good regimen for oral hygiene will allow bacteria buildup to occur around your implants, and this is what will cause inflammation and infection to develop. Experts recommend that you brush and floss at least twice a day and use an anti-bacterial mouthwash, as these measures are instrumental in preventing peri-implantitis.
Smoking
There is a major link between smoking and peri-implantitis. When you smoke, you will cause blood flow to your gums to decrease, and you will have considerable difficulty fighting infection. Smokers have an increased risk of developing this gum disease and experiencing implant failure compared to their nonsmoking counterparts. If you have dental implants or are thinking of procuring them, quitting smoking is the best thing that you can do.
Gum disease
If you have a history of any type of gum disease, then your risk of developing this condition increases exponentially. Gum disease is a type of bacterial infection that negatively impacts your gums as well as the bones that provide support to your teeth. It can even damage tissues around your implants. To minimize implant infection, it is critical for you to treat any gum disease and establish a good oral hygiene routine before going for the implant procedure.
Improper implant placement
Though rare, improper implant placement can lead to the development of peri-implantitis. This is because incorrect placement can create gaps where bacteria will grow and thrive. To minimize any risk of complications, you must choose an experienced dentist to perform your implant procedure.
Symptoms of Peri-Implantitis
Common signs and when to see a dentist
You must recognize the early warning signs of this condition to seek treatment in a timely fashion and avoid dental implant complications. Common symptoms to watch for include:
• Swelling and redness near the implant site
• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing near implants
• Pus or discharge near implants
• Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Loosening implant
• Pain or discomfort near the implant
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. Time is of the essence, and you cannot afford to wait because the problem can quickly worsen.
Stages of Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis progresses through a range of stages. In the beginning, you will contend with mild inflammation. As the condition worsens, you can experience severe bone loss.
Early stage (mucositis) vs. advanced stage
The early stage of this gum disease is called mucositis. During this stage, your gums will become inflamed; however, you will not experience any bone loss. You still have time to reverse the condition so long as you schedule a professional cleaning and maintain your oral hygiene. If you fail to seek treatment, then you will develop peri-implantitis. This is when you will experience the breakdown of the bone structure, which can eventually lead to implant failure.
Complications of Untreated Peri-Implantitis
Dismissing the signs of peri-implantitis will result in serious complications. Here are some common problems you can experience.
Implant failure
As stated previously, implant failure is the most significant complication you will experience should you fail to seek treatment for peri-implantitis. When this happens, the infection progresses to a point where there is significant bone loss. The implant then becomes unstable, and you will likely need to have a dentist remove it.
Bone loss around dental implants
When peri-implantitis causes significant bone loss around dental implants, considerable trouble results. This will impact your smile, and you will have difficulty getting an implant replacement if the current one fails.
Spread of infection
Should the disease become severe enough, infection can spread to other parts of your body. Dental infections can cause heart problems and spread to your bloodstream, and as a result, you can potentially lose your life.
How Is Peri-Implantitis Treated?
The treatment for peri-implantitis depends on the severity of the condition. A dental professional will need to examine you to decide which treatment choice will best remedy the problems you experience.
Non-surgical options
During early onset, non-surgical treatment options may be sufficient. These can include antibiotics, professional cleaning, and antimicrobial mouth rinses.
Surgical treatments
In more advanced cases when you need advanced peri-implantitis treatment, surgical intervention may be required. A dental professional will clean the infected area, remove any damaged tissue that they see, and possibly perform a bone graft to restore bone structure.
Maintenance after treatment
After you seek treatment, you must establish a good oral hygiene regimen and schedule regular visits to your dentist for implant failure prevention. You must also adhere to any care instructions that your dentist provides you.
How to Prevent Peri-Implantitis
If you want to experience long-term success with your implants, then you must work hard to prevent this gum disease. Here are some measures you can take.
Importance of oral hygiene for implants
The single most important measure that you can take to prevent peri-implantitis is to maintain good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day and using antibacterial mouthwash.
Regular dental check-ups for implants
Visiting your dentist regularly is essential. This is the time for them to check your implants and spot and treat any early signs of disease to prevent the development of any serious complications. You will also receive a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
If you currently smoke, now is the time to quit. Purging this habit will significantly reduce the risk of peri-implantitis and implant failure.
While peri-implantitis can hinder the success of your dental implants, you can significantly reduce your risk by engaging in good habits, such as good oral hygiene, seeing your dentist regularly, and giving up smoking. If you do develop this condition, however, early treatment will provide the best outcomes. If you worry about peri-implantitis or have an interest in procuring dental implants, contact Southland Dental Care to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hanookai.
Why Choose Southland Dental Care for Implant Health?
Expertise of Dr. Delaram Hanookai and the team
At Southland Dental Care in Los Angeles, Dr. Delaram Hanookai and her team provide state-of-the-art dental implant care, and this encompasses peri-implantitis treatment and prevention. Dr. Hanookai is highly skilled and experienced and has a strong passion to provide nothing but the best to her patients.
Southland Dental Care offers a vast array of services, and among these are:
• Dental implants in Los Angeles
• Gum disease treatment
• Bone grafting procedure
• Full mouth dental implants
• Implant maintenance services
• All-on-4 dental implants
• Emergency dental care
• Cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles
Meet Dr. Delaram Hanookai
Dr. Hanookai treats each of her patients as though they are her family. She makes it clear that you are not just a number. She will listen to you and collaborate with you to craft a treatment plan that will align with your goals.