Dental implants have revolutionized tooth replacement, offering a permanent solution that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth. With success rates exceeding 95%, implants provide exceptional long-term value for patients seeking to restore their smiles. However, one significant threat to implant longevity is peri-implantitis, an inflammatory process that can silently damage the supporting structures around the implant.
At Dental Specialties Northwest, Dr. Sweeney specializes in implant placement and peri-implantitis treatment. Our periodontal expertise uniquely qualifies us to help patients understand, prevent, and address this potentially serious condition before it leads to implant failure.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the soft tissue and bone surrounding a dental implant. Similar to how periodontitis affects natural teeth, peri-implantitis involves a bacterial infection that progressively destroys the supporting structures around the implant. The condition typically begins as peri-implant mucositis (inflammation limited to the soft tissues) before potentially advancing to peri-implantitis, where bone loss occurs.
Without proper intervention, peri-implantitis can progress to the point where the implant loses stability and ultimately fails. Understanding the warning signs is essential for anyone with dental implants.
Warning Signs and Symptoms
One of the challenges with peri-implantitis is that it can develop silently, with minimal symptoms in its early stages. This makes regular check-ups particularly important. Key warning signs include redness and swelling around the implant, bleeding when brushing near the site, and deepening pockets between the gum and implant. You might also notice receding gums or visible implant threads that were previously covered.
Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, so contacting your dental provider at the first sign of these symptoms is crucial for preserving your implant investment.
Risk Factors for Developing Peri-Implantitis
Several factors can increase your risk of developing peri-implantitis. A history of periodontal disease is perhaps the most significant predictor. Other risk factors include smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and poor oral hygiene. Even the design of your implant restoration can impact long-term health if it creates areas that are difficult to clean.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you have dental implants, watch for these symptoms that might indicate developing peri-implantitis:
- Bleeding when brushing around your implant
- Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue surrounding the implant
- Receding gums that expose previously covered parts of the implant
- Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste
- Deepening pockets around the implant (detected during dental exams)
- Discomfort or pain around the implant (usually in advanced cases)
- Visible pus around the implant area
- Any mobility of the implant (indicating advanced disease)
Recognizing these warning signs early and seeking prompt treatment can make the difference between saving and losing your implant.
Preventing Peri-Implantitis
Prevention remains the most effective approach to managing peri-implantitis, requiring diligent home care and regular professional maintenance. At home, this means thoroughly cleaning around implants.
Professional care is equally important, with regular check-ups allowing for early detection and intervention. Most implant patients benefit from maintenance visits every 3-6 months.
Treatment Approaches
When peri-implantitis does develop, treatment approaches vary based on severity. Early-stage cases may respond well to non-surgical approaches, including professional cleaning of implant surfaces and antimicrobial therapy.
More advanced cases typically require surgical intervention to access implant surfaces and may include regenerative procedures using bone grafts. Dr. Sweeney’s extensive periodontal expertise allows us to offer specialized treatment tailored to each patient’s specific situation.
The Connection to Overall Periodontal Health
Research consistently demonstrates the connection between overall periodontal health and implant success. Patients with a history of periodontal disease have a higher risk of developing peri-implantitis, highlighting the importance of comprehensive periodontal care both before and after implant placement.
As specialists in periodontics, we take a holistic approach to implant therapy, ensuring any underlying periodontal issues are addressed before implant placement and that ongoing periodontal maintenance supports long-term implant health.
Schedule Your Implant Evaluation Today
Whether you currently have dental implants in need of evaluation or are considering implant therapy, our specialized team at Dental Specialties Northwest is here to help. Dr. Sweeney’s extensive experience in both implant therapy and periodontal treatment provides patients with comprehensive care designed to support implant health for years to come.
Don’t wait until symptoms become severe or implant stability is compromised. Contact our Seattle office today at (206) 682-8200 or through our contact form to schedule your implant evaluation and protect your investment in a healthy, functional smile.
