Robust oral hygiene is imperative for maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. In the same way, regular dental care helps preserve the integrity of your dental implants. If your dental implants ever do become infected, it could be due to a condition caused by peri-implantitis. Venice Periodontics & Implant Dentistry provides comfort and relief for patients in Venice, FL who have experienced an infection of their dental implants.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is the name given to site-specific infectious diseases that afflict one or more of your dental implants. These infections affect your implants in much the same way that gum disease would affect your naturally growing teeth. In other words, when left untreated, peri-implantitis can result in inflammation of your soft tissues. Advanced cases may even result in the loss of bone.
Do I Have Peri-Implantitis?
Peri-implantitis rarely results in physical discomfort, but there are several other telltale signs to watch out for. These include:
- Swelling and Inflammation Around Implant
- Bleeding and Soreness When Brushing
- Loosening of Implant
- Bad Taste or Odor
- Discomfort When Biting or Chewing
- Loss of Bone Around Implant
If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure you seek diagnosis and intervention as soon as you can.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. Laura Turner is board certified in Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery through the American Board of Periodontology, a specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association. This signifies high standards of training to promote patient comfort, safety, and care. Dr. Turner originally hails from Richmond, VA, and is pleased to be the only full-time periodontist serving the Venice, FL community.
What Causes Peri-Implantitis?
Most of the time, peri-implantitis is attributable to the accumulation of bacteria, causing an infection localized to one or more of your implants. Usually, this happens due to dental neglect, which may include insufficient brushing or infrequent check-ups from your dentist.
In some situations, peri-implantitis may be caused by an error in the initial implant placement. To minimize the risk of a poorly placed implant, it is crucial to seek an oral health provider who is highly trained and board-certified to provide the highest levels of care.
How is Peri-Implantitis Treated?
Your treatment journey will begin with an initial evaluation. Dr. Turner will evaluate your teeth, gums, and jaw, assessing the severity of your infection while also verifying your eligibility for treatment.
Treatment options can vary according to the extent of the infection. Often, peri-implantitis can be addressed non-surgically, using some of the same techniques we use to treat gum disease. These options include laser therapy as well as deep cleaning procedures.
For more advanced cases of peri-implantitis, surgical intervention may be required. This is done with anesthesia, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout treatment.
How Do I Prevent Peri-Implantitis?
The best way to prevent an infection around your dental implant site is to be consistent in your dental hygiene, brushing and flossing according to your dentist’s instructions. Additionally, we recommend getting annual dental X-rays and regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Get the Treatment You Need
For most patients in Venice, FL, dental implants provide long-lasting smile restoration without complications. If you do experience symptoms of inflammation or bone loss near your implant sites, seek qualified care from a board-certified periodontal specialist. Schedule your peri-implantitis treatment at Venice Periodontics & Implant Dentistry by calling (941) 497-5591.
