What You Need to Know About Peri-Implant Diseases

Are you familiar with Peri-Implant Diseases? Here at Niagara Periodontics, we like to provide our patients with enough information on diseases that affect their gums. One of these diseases includes Peri-implant.

Peri-Implant diseases are inflammatory diseases that affect the peri-implant tissues or the soft and hard gum tissues surrounding dental implants. Peri-implant disease resembles periodontal disease in its structure but has different treatment management and criteria.

Peri-Implant diseases are categorized as mucositis and implantitis. Mucositis is the inflammation of the peri-implant mucosa without bone resorption. On the other hand, implantitis is the inflammation of the peri-implant soft tissue with bone resorption. Collectively these two conditions are termed peri-implant diseases.

When bacteria accumulate on the base of an implant below the gum line, the bacteria can irritate the tissue causing inflammation and damage. If left untreated, the bone structure underneath the implant can also deteriorate.

Although there are no standardized diagnostic measures for peri-implant diseases, assessment is universal. Diagnostics include checking periodontal probing depths, radiographs, exudate, bleeding on probing, occlusion and mobility as well as bacterial profile and inflammatory markers to determine the progression of the disease.

Similar to your natural teeth, implants need proper care to prevent any dental problems such as peri-implant diseases. You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily and have a regular visit to your dentist to detect problems as early as possible.

To learn more about peri-implant diseases, you can visit our periodontal specialist office, Niagara Periodontics in St. Catharines.

-The Niagara Periodontics Team