Experiencing pain, swelling, or bleeding around your dental implant? Swenson Periodontics offers specialized Peri-implantitis Treatment in Las Vegas to protect your dental implant investment and restore its health.

While dental implants boast an exceptionally high success rate, they are not immune to complications. One such complication is peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition that affects the gum tissue and bone surrounding a dental implant. Similar to periodontal disease around natural teeth, peri-implantitis is primarily caused by bacterial infection and can lead to bone loss around the implant, potentially jeopardizing its stability and long-term survival if left untreated.

At Swenson Periodontics, Dr. Dane Swenson has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating peri-implantitis, helping our Las Vegas patients preserve their dental implant investment and maintain their oral health.

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What is Peri-implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding an osseointegrated dental implant, leading to progressive bone loss. It typically manifests in two stages:

  1. Peri-implant Mucositis: This is the initial, reversible stage, similar to gingivitis around natural teeth. It involves inflammation of the gum tissue around the implant, characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding upon probing, but without bone loss.
  2. Peri-implantitis: If mucositis is left untreated, it can progress to peri-implantitis, which involves inflammation accompanied by progressive destruction of the supporting bone around the implant.

Signs and Symptoms of Peri-implantitis:

It’s crucial to seek immediate attention if you notice any of these signs around your dental implant:

  • Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums around the implant.
  • Bleeding when brushing, flossing, or probing around the implant.
  • Pus (suppuration) discharge from the gum around the implant.
  • Pain or Discomfort when chewing or touching the implant area.
  • Bad Taste or Persistent Bad Breath originating from the implant site.
  • Visible Threading of the implant (meaning bone loss has exposed parts of the implant).
  • Mobility of the Implant (a late sign indicating significant bone loss).

Causes of Peri-implantitis:

The primary cause of peri-implantitis is bacterial infection, often due to inadequate oral hygiene around the implant. Other contributing factors can include:

  • Poor Oral Hygiene: Insufficient brushing and flossing around the implant allows plaque and bacteria to accumulate.
  • Residual Cement: Excess dental cement from crown placement can irritate tissues and attract bacteria.
  • Smoking: Significantly increases the risk of peri-implantitis.
  • Systemic Diseases: Uncontrolled diabetes, for example, can impair healing and increase susceptibility.
  • Bruxism/Clenching: Excessive biting forces on the implant.
  • History of Periodontitis: Patients who had gum disease before receiving implants are at higher risk.

Peri-implantitis Treatment at Swenson Periodontics:

The goal of peri-implantitis treatment is to eliminate the infection, reduce inflammation, and, if possible, regenerate lost bone and tissue around the implant to stabilize it. Dr. Swenson will perform a thorough examination, including X-rays, to assess the extent of the infection and bone loss. Treatment options may include:

  1. Non-Surgical Debridement: For early stages (peri-implant mucositis), this involves thorough cleaning of the implant surface to remove plaque and tartar, often using specialized instruments or laser therapy.
  2. Antibiotic Therapy: Local or systemic antibiotics may be prescribed to target and eliminate the bacteria causing the infection.
  3. Surgical Intervention: For more advanced peri-implantitis with bone loss, surgical procedures may be necessary:
    • Access Surgery: To gain direct access to the implant surface for thorough cleaning and debridement.
    • Bone Grafting/Regenerative Procedures: To encourage the regrowth of lost bone around the implant, similar to Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) around natural teeth.
    • Surface Decontamination: Various techniques can be used to clean and decontaminate the exposed implant surface.

Protecting Your Implant Investment:

Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for successful peri-implantitis management. If left untreated, peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure. Dr. Swenson emphasizes the importance of regular dental implant maintenance and excellent home oral hygiene to prevent the onset of this condition.

If you have a dental implant in Las Vegas and are experiencing any signs of inflammation or discomfort around it, don’t delay. Contact Swenson Periodontics immediately for a specialized evaluation and peri-implantitis treatment. We are here to help you protect your smile and ensure the longevity of your dental implants.