Peri-Implantitis (Gum Disease Around Implants) Treatment

Patients may be referred for treatment of gum disease around their implants.

What

Peri-implantitis is inflammation surrounding an implant that leads to bone loss. If it remains untreated, the implant may be lost. There may be pus present, swelling, bleeding on brushing; however there my be no noticeable symptoms so it is important to have your implant routinely checked after placement.

Peri-implantitis risk factors may include:

• A history of severe gum disease
• Cigarette smoking
• Poor oral hygiene or poor attendance for monitoring and maintenance of an implant.

Treatment usually always involves access flap surgery. This involves drawing back the gum to allow direct access/visibility of the implant surface. Following this a small amount of infected gum tissue will be removed surrounding the implant to decrease the depth between the top of the gum and the bone. The implants are then thoroughly cleaned and the gum sutured back at a lower height. Alternatively, after the gum is drawn back a bone graft may be placed if the defect is suitable. There will usually be recession associated with healing- due to the extent of bone loss that has already occurred beneath the gum. The recession may be lessened by using a bone graft.