Preventing Perioimplantitis

Dental implants offer the most impressive tooth replacement solution available today — and they’re also permanent. However, when dental implants are not cared for in the right way, they can cause infection in the soft tissue and even the bone surrounding them. This can lead to serious problems like bone loss — and sometimes serious infection that spreads throughout the body. Fortunately, peri-implantitis can be prevented if you care for your implants properly. Here is the information you need to prevent peri-implantitis when you get new dental implants.

The Signs and Stages of Peri-Implantitis: What to Watch For

One of the most effective tools in preventing peri-implantitis is knowledge. Simply by knowing the problem signs to watch for, you’ll be in a position to get help from your dentist immediately when it’s needed. In stage one of peri-implantitis, you might notice signs like swollen gums, mild bleeding, and pain around the implant. The good news is that if you see the dentist immediately, you can prevent the peri-implantitis from moving to the more serious stage two. There are a number of different treatments for stage one peri-implantitis, including options like antibiotics, prescription mouth rinses, and laser treatments.

In stage two, peri-implantitis has the same symptoms, but far more severe — and it may be quite painful. At this point, the infection has invaded the bone that supports the dental implant, and the only way to correct it may be through surgery. Even after the surgery, it’s quite possible that ongoing treatment may be needed.

Preventing Peri-Implantitis: What You Can Do

While there is no doubt that the symptoms and effects of peri-implantitis are scary, they are completely preventable. To avoid peri-implantitis, you simply need to make a firm commitment to closely following all the instructions and guidance from Dr. Sedaros.  After the new implants are placed in your mouth, Dr. Sedaros will review the rules for their care with you.

You’ll need to be more vigilant about brushing and flossing than you’ve ever been before. Although the implants themselves are made of metal and thus can’t decay, all of the living tissue in your mouth is still vulnerable. You’ll need to brush and floss twice a day, taking care to eliminate all debris. This is the time when you need to be especially careful about plaque, as it attracts the bacteria that can cause infection and decay.

A healthy diet can also be an important part of avoiding peri-implantitis. Sugar is one of the main reasons that tooth decay occurs today, and it tends to cause just as much damage to the gums. When you have that sweets craving, try to channel it into better options like fruit. The less sugar you eat, the less harmful bacteria will invade your mouth — and this can go a long way towards helping you prevent peri-implantitis.

What to Do When You Have Implant Issues

As your mouth adjusts to the dental implants, you might notice a bit more sensitivity. If this sensitivity crosses the line into pain, or if you notice any of the other symptoms discussed above, contact Dr. Sedaros right away. Quick action is essential when it comes to dealing with peri-implantitis.

 

Another important part of preventing peri-implantitis is having regular dental check-ups with Dr. Sedaros. Most patients will need to have cleanings and check-ups twice a year. During your check-up, Dr. Sedaros will not only evaluate your natural teeth but also your dental implants to make sure that they are secure and are not causing any problems for the rest of your mouth.

 

At Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants, Dr. Sedaros and the whole team are proud to offer the best in dental implants — and in dental implant support, as well. We also offer wisdom teeth extractions, cleft lip & cleft palate treatment, jaw surgery, oral pathology, platelet rich plasma treatments, bone grafting, distraction osteogenesis treatment, and much more. Contact us anytime to arrange an appointment with Dr. Sedaros!