Even though your dental implants in Richmond are made from inert titanium or other nonreactive components such as zirconia, they are surrounded by living tissue and can still become infected. Having an infected dental implant is one of the most common reasons for implant failure, and one of the most common infections is something called peri-implantitis. This is a condition that’s a little like gum disease and which causes the tissues around the implant to swell up and become inflamed. It is something that can lead to bone loss around the implant, and if not treated could even mean the implant will need to be removed.
Dental Implants Can Become Infected Years after Placement
Implant infections can occur soon after the dental implant is placed, or they can occur years afterwards even when a dental implant in Richmond might have previously been trouble-free. It is something that can occur if the dental implant isn’t kept hygienically clean through regular brushing and flossing and through making sure that you have regular check-ups and hygiene appointments at Sheen Dental.
If the implant does become infected and inflamed then it is possible for bacteria to first begin infecting the surrounding gum tissues, but they might also be able to infect the jawbone if they are able to enter any spaces in between the implant and the bone. Peri-implantitis may be more of an issue for people with diabetes or for people who smoke. The problem with this condition is that it can cause destruction of the bone and gum tissue that results in parts of the dental implant becoming exposed. This exposure means the implant will become less stable unless the condition is treated as soon as possible. If you think your dental implant might be infected then it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Signs that something might be wrong include noticing the gums around the implant begin to bleed during brushing or flossing, or that the gum tissue has changed colour. You might also develop a funny taste in your mouth due to the infection.
Diagnosing and Treating Dental Implant Infections
Diagnosis of this condition is quite straightforward, and your implant dentist in Richmond will need to take x-rays and will use probes to measure the depth of any pockets around the dental implant. Provided you visited your dentist early on when bone loss is minimal then the chances of saving the dental implant will be much higher. It could be that the area around the dental implant needs specialised cleaning to help remove any debris and bacteria. It’s possible your dentist might choose to place medication in any pockets around your dental implant in Richmond. Placing medication topically helps to ensure is delivered right to the site of the infection, and often the antibiotic is released over several days to continue the attack on the bacteria. Your dentist might also recommend using a special mouth wash to help eliminate bacteria in your gums. If there has been any bone loss then it might be possible to regenerate the bone in that area through placing special grafting material to help stimulate new growth.
Dental implant infections might sound scary, but it is important to remember that most people who meticulously maintain their dental implants in Richmond are far less likely to have these types of problems.