Helping to protect the health and longevity of your dental implants
Dental implants can last for many years, but healthy gums and bone are essential for their stability. Early diagnosis and treatment of infection help prevent damage and reduce the risk of implant failure.
Book a consultationUnderstanding peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums and bone surrounding a dental implant.
It begins when bacteria accumulate around the implant, causing inflammation of the surrounding tissues. In its early stage, known as peri-implant mucositis, only the gums are affected. If left untreated, the condition may progress to peri-implantitis, resulting in bone loss around the implant.
Because bone loss often develops gradually and without significant discomfort, regular monitoring is important for early diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Payvand Menhadji provides comprehensive assessment and specialist peri-implantitis treatment to control infection, preserve supporting bone and maintain the long-term health of your dental implants.
Signs of peri-implantitis
Peri-implant disease may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
Common signs may include:
- Bleeding around the implant during brushing
- Swollen or tender gums
- Redness around the implant
- Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste
- Gum recession around the implant
- Pus or discharge
- Changes in how the implant feels
- Loosening of the implant in advanced cases
If you notice any of these symptoms, professional assessment is recommended, as early treatment can help prevent further damage.
What causes peri-implantitis?
Peri-implantitis usually develops due to a combination of factors rather than a single cause.
Contributing factors may include:
- Inadequate plaque control
- A history of gum disease
- Smoking
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Irregular professional maintenance
- Excess cement around implant restorations
- Implant positioning that makes cleaning difficult
Identifying the underlying cause is an important part of successful long-term treatment.
Peri-implantitis treatment
Treatment follows a staged, conservative approach, escalating only where needed, with the aim of preserving your implant wherever possible.
The staged approach involves:
- Initial non-surgical treatment and risk-factor management
- Optimising plaque control and oral hygiene
- Assessing and modifying contributing restorative factors, including implant crown contour, emergence profile, and residual cement where required
- Surgical treatment if conservative measures are insufficient – regenerative or resective
- Ongoing supportive maintenance
Why early treatment is important
Peri-implantitis does not usually improve without professional treatment.
As the disease progresses, increasing amounts of bone can be lost around the implant, making treatment more complex and potentially affecting the implant's long-term prognosis.
Early assessment offers the best opportunity to control the disease, preserve supporting tissues and protect your investment in implant treatment.
Support from a Specialist Periodontist
Managing peri-implantitis requires specialist knowledge of dental implants, gum tissues and supporting bone.
As a Specialist Periodontist, Dr Menhadji provides comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment for patients experiencing implant infection, bone loss and other implant-related complications.
Care is focused on preserving healthy tissues, maintaining implant stability and supporting long-term oral health through evidence-based periodontal treatment.
Protect the health of your dental implants.
Early assessment can help identify implant infection and provide the most appropriate treatment before more extensive damage occurs.
Book a consultationA planned, staged pathway.
Wherever possible, treatment aims to preserve your implant. Care is staged and conservative, escalating only if needed – removal is considered only when the implant cannot be predictably maintained.
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Frequently asked questions
Concerned about a dental implant?
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