Trying to cope with missing teeth is no joke, and there is little doubt that dental implants in Ajax can work fantastically well. This is a treatment that has, in some cases, transformed people’s lives for the better, and especially for those suffering from multiple or complete tooth loss. However, no surgical treatment is without risks, and one of the long-term risks of implant treatment is an infectious disease called peri-implantitis.
Similar to gum disease in Whitby, peri-implantitis is a disease that causes inflammation in the tissues surrounding dental implants, including gum and bone tissues. It can cause loss of bone that is supporting a dental implant and may even cause implant loss. Just like gum disease, many patients are unaware of this infection until it is quite well progressed. Peri-implantitis can occur soon after dental implant placement or years later.
Are There Any Risk Factors for Peri-Implantitis?
There are some risk factors associated with peri-implantitis, and one is smoking. If you smoke it narrows the blood vessels providing vital nutrients to your gums and bone and it is far better to quit when your implants are fitted. People whose immune systems are compromised, or who have medical problems like osteoporosis or diabetes can be more at risk for developing bone loss around the dental implants. However, one of the major risk factors for peri-implantitis is poor oral care. If you fail to clean your dental implants in Pickering regularly, the tissue surrounding them can become infected.
When your dental implants are fitted, your implant dentist in Oshawa will talk to you about how to maintain healthy implants. It’s crucial to follow this advice to the letter every single day.
What Are the Signs That Dental Implants Are Infected?
Some people will find the area around their dental implant aches slightly or feels tender when they brush or floss near the area, but often there is no pain. However, you could notice that your gums have begun to bleed or that their appearance has changed as the affected gums can look red or even slightly purple or bluish. Teeth could look longer as gums recede, and it’s even possible that the implant screw becomes exposed. You could notice the dental implant has begun to feel loose to the touch. If you visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, they can monitor the condition of your implants closely so that any signs of infection will most likely be detected earlier.
Is Peri-Implantitis Treatable?
Like any disease, it’s better to seek treatment as soon as you realize something is wrong with your dental implants, but the good news is that frequently peri-implantitis is treatable. With prompt dental care, there is a good chance your dental implants are salvageable.
Here at Durham Dental Solutions, we can provide nonsurgical and surgical therapy for peri-implantitis. Nonsurgical therapy uses an advanced dental laser to clean the affected area carefully and to remove the bacteria causing the infection. The energy produced by the laser is extremely effective in sterilizing treated areas and eliminating more bacteria than using an ordinary dental drill. Laser therapy can also remove infected gum tissue precisely. Surgical treatment is used to remove severely infected gum tissue and plaque and calculus buildup from around the implant, giving your gum and bone a better chance to heal. When the infection is especially severe, it may be necessary to build up the bone around the dental implants using bone grafting in Newcastle.
All dental implants require ongoing professional maintenance and cleaning. If you are concerned about your dental implants in Bowmanville, contact our dentist to arrange your checkup.
