An implant can still survive periimplantitis without losing its function. The restoration can be saved if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. Symptoms to look for, as well as possible treatment methods, are described in this guide.
Infection risks with dental implants
Implant infections are most commonly caused by:
- An unhygienic mouth,
- Moreover, smoking
- A history of periodontitis.
Aftercare for implants is essential. You allow bacteria and fungus to inhabit your mouth if you don’t brush and floss daily. The growth of these bacteria gradually spreads from the implant to the soft and hard tissues surrounding it. Dental implants can be affected by infections in a variety of ways.
A substance called arginase is more concentrated in the saliva of tobacco users. Nitric oxide production is said to be lowered by it. Bacteria thrive in an acidic environment, which makes saliva more acidic. Infections associated with dental implants are more likely to occur in smokers.
There is also a higher risk for patients who have had periodontitis in the past. Before implantation can take place, gum disease must certainly be treated, but it tends to return. Such cases also tend to have more significant bone loss, resulting in more excellent implant failure rates.
All in all, implant infection is almost always linked to patient-oriented risk factors. The following are worth noting, but the rate of infection caused by these is very low:
- A titanium hypersensitivity,
- Diabetic diseases, for example,
- During crown placement, there is an excess of cement, and
- The bite force is distributed unevenly.
Symptoms of dental implant infection
If you observe any of these signs, immediately contact your dentist:
- The implant is swollen,
- Gingival color changes,
- An implant site that is bleeding,
- Loss of implants,
- Infection, fever,
- An earache that throbs
- Medication does not alleviate chronic pain.
Implant infections rarely cause soreness, but when they do, it means the infection is severe. The symptoms of bone graft infection and sinus lift infection are similar. Whenever you experience any of these symptoms, call Authority Dental right away to schedule an emergency dental appointment with dentist in ventura, the professionals.
The peri-implant pockets are also deep and bone loss is gradual in the affected area when dental implants are affected by the infection. Professionals like dentists or periodontists are the only ones who can diagnose these conditions.
Illness in dental implants
There are two stages of tooth implant infection. Peri-implant mucositis is the first type. In the absence of treatment, peri-implantitis can develop.
The progression of both diseases is similar to gum disease, but they may develop at a faster rate. Implants attach less firmly than natural teeth, and this results in less durability. Years after implant placement, symptoms can still appear.
Taking care of dental implants that are infected
In order to determine whether a bone loss has occurred, an X-ray will be taken first. Next, periodontal probing takes place. The infection stage can be accurately diagnosed this way. An appropriate treatment plan will be recommended by the dentist.
The most popular remedies are listed below. Combinations are most often used.
Mechanics cleaning
A carbon fibre curette or ultrasonic device can be used for cleaning shallow mucosal pockets. Submucosal debridement is the process of removing the mucous membrane. In order to remove contamination around the implant, the dentist uses high-frequency waves.
A rubber cup and paste may be used to polish mucosal pockets deeper than 5mm, mechanical flossing may be recommended, or delicate scaling instruments may be recommended. This requires going deeper, and avoiding roughing the rod’s surface is essential in such a situation.
It is common to perform mechanical debridement in conjunction with the application of an antiseptic locally. Pockets with a depth of more than 4mm are only drilled this way.
Procedures for surgery
When the rod is placed in an area that is not anesthetic, surgical management of implant infection is generally performed.
This allows better access to contaminated areas after the gums are cut open and flapped back. In conjunction with antiseptics, mechanical cleaning is performed. Debridement through open flaps may be called this procedure.
It is possible for this option to have many complications. It is possible to contract an infection by exposing yourself to porous membranes, especially during the healing process. Only if all other treatments have failed should it be performed.
Medications for dental implant infections
The remaining teeth will be examined by the dentist for periodontal disease. The doctor will decide how much antibiotics to administer locally or systemically based on the information gathered.
The treatment of localized antibiotics could be prescribed if peri-implantitis affects only the immediate areas around the implant and no other disease is present in the mouth. It will take a few days for them to reach the affected area.
It is possible to administer antibiotics systemically in the case of an infection that is widespread in the mouth. The same happens when the patient is simultaneously suffering from periodontitis.
Several weeks or months may pass before antibiotic treatment has to be repeated.
Removal of implants
A significant amount of bone may be lost in the event of peri-implantitis and peri-implantitis has developed. This can be done with a surgical instrument called a trephine.
A dentist might, on the other hand, decide to allow bone loss to continue until such a point as a forceps is able to be used to extract the implant from the bone. When the amount of supporting bone is less than 3 to 4 millimetres, this decision is made.
Several months of healing and bone grafting may be required for some patients to qualify for reimplantation.