Peri-Implantitis Treatment

Without peri-implantitis treatment, the dental implant may become loose in a matter of weeks. Saving a badly infected dental implant does require more extensive treatment and may not always be successful. As an NYC periodontist and skilled dental implant specialist, Dr. Rahmani is the very best doctor to treat this type of gum and bone infection and this will give your dental implants a greater chance of survival.

To save your teeth, Dr. Rahmani may include guided bone and tissue regeneration or bone grafting to help anchor the implant more firmly into the jawbone.

The NYC Dental Implants Center only uses the highest-quality dental implants from Straumann (Basel, Switzerland). It’s the largest and most advanced dental implant company in the world. Internationally recognized, board-certified periodontist and top-rated dental implant NYC specialist Dr. Rahmani performs all the surgeries in our Midtown Manhattan dental center.

Destructive Disease That is Similar to Periodontal Disease

Peri-implantitis is a destructive disease that is quite similar to periodontal disease. It can affect the gums and bone surrounding dental implants and, without prompt treatment, may lead to implant failure.

What is Peri-Implantitis?

Dental implants can’t become decayed like natural teeth as they are made from inert materials. However, patients often overlook that implants are surrounded by living tissue that includes gum tissue and bone.

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition similar to gum disease, where the gum tissue and bone around the implant become infected and inflamed.

It can cause the gums around the implant to shrink, and the bone surrounding the implant may begin to break down. Ultimately this condition can lead to the loss of the implant.

Symptoms of Peri-implantitis

Initially, you may notice the gum around the implant looks a little red as healthy gums are pale pink.

If you take a closer look, then you may notice the gum tissue that comes into contact with the implant crown has a red edge. This gum tissue may bleed whenever you brush or floss.

The gum tissue may begin to look swollen and could have a smooth and shiny appearance, whereas healthy gum tissue has an almost stippled appearance like the surface of an orange.

Your gums may feel a bit sore whenever you brush, and eventually, the gum tissue and the bone will shrink away from the implant, gradually exposing the metal part of the implant post.

Without proper treatment, you will likely lose the implant, or it will need to be removed.

Initial symptoms of the peri-implantitis are:

• The gum around the implant looks a little red
• Gums may feel a bit sore whenever you brush
• Gum tissue that comes into contact with the implant crown has a red edge
• Gum tissue may begin to look swollen
• The metal part of the implant post exposed

What Causes Peri-Implantitis?

Peri-Implantitis causing bacteria to build up underneath the gum right next to the dental implant.

It could be that something is slightly wrong with the implant itself. If the implant isn’t fitting correctly or has a loose implant crown, bacteria can get into even microscopic gaps.

If your implant dentist left any small pieces of dental cement trapped underneath the gum, this could create a rough area that will attract bacteria.

It’s essential to have your implant placed by the very best dental implant specialist, as the correct implant planning and placement significantly reduce Peri-Implantitis risk.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Peri-implantitis can also develop as a result of poor oral hygiene.

If you fail to brush and floss thoroughly and leave plaque to build up around the base of the implant, then you are more likely to develop peri-implantitis.

If you have dental implants, then it is also essential to have regular professional cleanings. Scaling and polishing remove any plaque and tartar buildup around dental implants.

Professional cleanings allow your implant dentist to check on the condition of your dental implants regularly, so any signs of infection are more likely to be quickly picked up at a stage when peri-implantitis is more treatable.

Getting Treatment for Peri-Implantitis

If you think there might be something wrong with your dental implant, then it’s crucial to take action as soon as you can. Sometimes, depending on the degree of the infection, with prompt treatment, an infected implant can be saved.

Without treatment, the dental implant may become loose in a matter of weeks. Saving a badly infected dental implant does require more extensive treatment and may not always be successful.

As an experienced Peri-Implantitis specialist in New York City (NYC), Dr. Rahmani is the best periodontist to treat this type of gum and bone infection and this will give your dental implant a greater chance of survival.

Repairing Damage Caused by Peri-Implantitis

A follow-up examination will be scheduled for a few weeks later, at which stage your dental implant will be re-evaluated to decide on the next course of action.

Often with peri-implantitis, it is necessary to repair and regenerate missing bone and gum tissue that the infection has destroyed. Additional procedures to help anchor the implant more firmly into the jawbone may include:

• guided bone regeneration
• tissue regeneration
• bone grafting

Deep Cleaning the Implants

The area around the infected dental implant can be deep cleaned using special instruments, including a dental laser, as the energy helps sterilize the tissues. The laser treatment removes the infection, deep cleaning the area without damaging the surface of the dental implant. Afterward, Dr. Rahmani can flush the area with an antiseptic solution and place topical antibiotics.

These are time-release microspheres that help eliminate any bacteria that may migrate from the tissues near the infected dental implant.

If there is any gum disease present around the natural teeth, Dr. Rahmani can treat it to help avoid the implant from becoming re-infected. He may also prescribe oral antibiotics, and it is essential to complete the course.

Preventing Re-Infection

Good oral hygiene is even more critical for anyone who has had peri-implantitis, as dental implants affected by this condition are more susceptible to re-infection. Using an electronic toothbrush can help improve daily plaque removal, and flossing is essential. We also advise using an anti-bacterial mouth rinse.

If you have any questions about the Peri-Implantitis treatment, or to make an appointment, please call our Midtown Manhattan dental implants center:

NYC Dental Implants Center

121 East 60th St Ste 6C2
New York, New York 10065
(60th St. btw Park Ave / Lex Ave)
212-256-0000

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