Peri-implantitis

Similar to periodontal disease around teeth, peri-implantitis is a chronic bacterial infection that disrupts the connection between implants and their supporting gum and bone. Left untreated, the bone and other supporting tissues of the tooth can deteriorate, leading to implant loss and loss of the supporting tissues of adjacent teeth. Common symptoms include red, painful, swollen and bleeding gums around the implant, often during brushing and flossing.

The right treatment depends on the severity of infection and bone loss and often requires a combination of treatments to restore your implant health. One or more of the following treatments may be combined to treat periimplantitis.

Debridement and Decontamination

  • Similar to scaling and root planing around teeth or a “deep cleaning”, to remove plaque and calculus (tartar or the hard deposits that form on teeth and implants) and other bacterial toxins from the implant surface and infected tissue. Specialized instrumentation is used for this process.

Guided Bone Regeneration

  • Performed to gain greater access to the implant and underlying bone for further debridement and to regenerate bone lost during the disease process and aid in stabilizing the implant.

Soft Tissue Grating

  • Performed to cover exposed implant surfaces, improve/thicken tissue around implants and prevent additional recession and bone loss.

Implant Removal and Replacement

  • If an existing implant cannot be saved, maintaining the implant may pose risk to adjacent implants or teeth or result an unacceptable esthetic outcome. The existing implant can be removed, if necessary, bone is regenerated and implant is replaced following adequate healing time.

What to Expect:

  • Comprehensive Examination
    • Your visit begins with a thorough periodontal and oral examination and digital imaging to assess tissue health, measure pocket depth and gum recession, assess bone loss and screen for oral cancer. Dr. Holden creates a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, diagnosis and comfort level and discuses planned restorations with your general / restoring dentist.
    • CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is a 3-dimensional x-ray, advanced imaging technique providing accurate visualization of dental structures, bone and nerve canals. CBCTs can locate exact 3D positioning of dental structures and bone volume and asses dental implants for planning of peri-implant procedures.
  • Periimplantitis Treatment
    • One or multiple of the above treatments may be recommended.
  • Follow up
    • Follow up, which is specifically tailored to each patient is recommended to keep implants in health and function after they have been placed, healed and restored and is a team effort with your restoring dentist.
  • Implant Maintenance
    • To maintain the results of both non-surgical and surgical earlier therapies, similar to periodontal maintenance. Implant maintenance at home and in the office are of the utmost importance for disease control to prevent the return of disease and allow early and swift detection of dental concerns.
    • Implant Maintenance schedules are tailored to each patient’s needs and are often ore frequent of patients have had a history of periodontitis or peri-implantitis.