Treatment of Peri-Implant Infection

Peri-implant infection, or periimplantitis, is a type of inflammatory disease that occurs in the soft tissues and bone around dental implants. The inflammation in the gum tissue around the implant progresses over time and can reach the bone, leading to bone loss around the implant. In such cases, the implant loses its stability and can cause numerous problems.

What is Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis)?

Periimplantitis typically manifests with symptoms such as redness, pain, bleeding, or swelling in the area where the implant was placed. If left untreated, it can lead to very serious health problems. Therefore, to ensure the success of implant treatment and extend its lifespan, early diagnosis and immediate treatment of inflammation in the area are necessary. Otherwise, the inflammation will start to harm not only the implant but also the surrounding natural teeth. Expert Dentist Emin Serhat Arıkan, serving patients in Adana, explained what peri-implant infection (periimplantitis) is, its symptoms, causes, and how it is treated.

What are the Symptoms of Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis)?

Peri-implant infection, or periimplantitis, is a type of inflammatory disease. Early detection and prompt treatment of this condition, which usually presents with symptoms of gum inflammation, are of great importance. This is because peri-implant infection, if not detected early and treated quickly, will progress and lead to much more serious health problems. Therefore, you should consult your dentist without delay if you experience the symptoms and signs listed below.

• Bleeding, redness, and swelling in the gum tissue around the implants
• Feeling sensitivity and experiencing pain, especially during tooth brushing
• Experiencing bleeding and sensitivity around the implant
• Occurrence of inflammatory discharge in the gums, i.e., soft tissues
• Observing looseness and mobility in the implants
• Gum recession and the implant's root surface becoming visible

If periimplantitis, which manifests with the symptoms listed above, is not treated in time, the infection can progress to the bones and lead to systemic diseases. Therefore, you should consult your dentist without delay if you experience these symptoms.

What Causes Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis)?

Numerous factors contribute to the development of peri-implant infection. A significant portion of these factors directly affects the tissues around the implant. The most important of these factors is inadequate oral care and hygiene. In addition, smoking and systemic diseases can also lead to the development of periimplantitis. Peri-implant infection exhibits symptoms very similar to gum diseases. Periimplantitis harms the stability of implants. If we need to list the causes of periimplantitis:

• Poor and insufficient oral care/hygiene
• Smoking
• Systemic Diseases
• Surgical and Technical Errors

How is Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis) Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of Peri-Implant Infection is crucial to prevent the progression of inflammation. When diagnosing periimplantitis, symptoms such as gum pain, gum swelling, and bleeding must be carefully monitored.

If these symptoms are encountered, it is necessary to consult an expert dentist without delay. Your dentist will listen to your symptoms and can make a diagnosis of peri-implant infection by performing the necessary examinations.

Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis) Treatment Methods

Inflammation around the implant can arise from many different causes. This progressing inflammation can eventually reach the bones and create a basis for numerous serious health problems. The treatment methods used for periimplantitis are as follows:

Flap Surgery – In advanced peri-implant inflammations, the patient's gum tissue is lifted. Afterwards, direct access to the infected bone around the implant is gained. This allows for thorough and healthy cleaning of the infected area. Bone grafting may be applied in necessary cases to support bone density.

Surgical Curettage – The surgical curettage method is based on the surgical removal of infected gum tissue and bone tissue. Surgical curettage cleans the infected tissue and protects healthy tissues from infection.

Regenerative Treatment – The main goal of regenerative treatment is to reconstruct the patient's bone tissue using bone grafts and regenerative materials. This helps maintain the stability of the implant.

Antibiotic Treatment – If peri-implant inflammation is mild, antibiotic treatment can be used to control the infection and halt its progression.

How to Prevent Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis)?

To prevent peri-implant infection, proper case planning is necessary before implant treatment. Therefore, choosing the right dentist and the right clinic is of great importance.

Peri-Implant Infection (Periimplantitis) and Risk of Implant Loss

Periimplantitis is a health problem that must be treated. Controlling inflammation and stopping its progression are among the most important elements of treatment. If inflammation cannot be controlled, implants will gradually lose stability and may be lost. In cases where intervention is timely, the infection can be completely cleared. This can extend the lifespan of the implants.