What Is Peri-Implantitis and Why Should You Care?

Have you ever heard of peri-implantitis? If you have dental implants in University Heights, OH, you might want to listen up. Peri-implantitis is something you should try to prevent if you have dental implants.

What Is Peri-Implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is gum disease in the soft and hard tissue around your dental implants. So, even though you have dental implants, you can still get gum disease.

What Causes Peri-Implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is caused by a bacterial buildup below the gumline at the base of your dental implants. Over time, that bacteria will irritate your gums. This causes inflammation. The result is damage to your gum tissue. And if you don’t catch peri-implantitis early enough, it could cause bone deterioration below your implant.

The Signs of Peri-Implantitis

The early signs of peri-implantitis are pain, tenderness, redness, and swelling in the gum tissue around your implant.

You should also look for the following signs of peri-implantitis as well.

• Bleeding when flossing and brushing.
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
• Pus or discharge around the implant.
• If your implant is loose or moves.
• Gum recession.
• Bone loss (as seen on an X-ray).

Your dentist in University Heights, OH, will perform an exam and let you know if you have or are developing peri-implantitis and the recommended treatment.

How to Treat Peri-Implantitis

There are non-surgical and surgical treatments for peri-implantitis. The extent of the disease will determine which one you need.

Non-Surgical Treatment – Deep cleaning, debridement, laser therapy, and antimicrobial therapy (oral and topical antibiotics and antimicrobial mouthwashes.

Surgical Treatment – Flap surgery, bone grafting, and, in severe cases, implant removal.

Looking for a Reputable Dentist in University Heights, OH?

Please Contact Innovative Smiles today to schedule a dental implant exam. We will look at your implants and gums to determine if you have peri-implantitis. If you do, we can help!