Peri-implantitis: signs, causes and treatment

Peri-implantitis is an infection of the gum and bone around a dental implant. Left untreated it can cause bone loss and, in the end, implant failure. At Toothi in Edgware a routine implant exam is £95 and implant hygiene is £150, and we’re happy to see patients whose implants were placed elsewhere. If your implant is sore, bleeding or loose, see a dentist rather than trying home remedies.

Peri-implantitis is inflammation caused by bacterial plaque that affects both the gum and the supporting bone around an implant. It usually starts as peri-implant mucositis, which is inflammation of the gum only. At that stage it can generally be reversed with professional cleaning and better home care.

Once bone starts to be lost, it’s called peri-implantitis. An implant can’t decay like a natural tooth, but the tissue around it can still get infected. So implants need as much care as natural teeth, if not more.

Early peri-implantitis often doesn’t hurt, so regular checks matter. Book an assessment if you notice any of the following around an implant.

• ✓  Bleeding when you brush or clean between the teeth.
• ✓  Red, swollen or tender gum around the implant crown.
• ✓  Pus or a bad taste coming from the area.
• ✓  Gum receding so that more of the crown or metal becomes visible.
• ✓  Discomfort when biting, or the crown feeling different.
• ✓  Movement. A loose implant crown or implant needs to be seen promptly.

The main cause is plaque bacteria building up around the implant. A few things raise the risk, and some of them you can do something about.

• ✓  Plaque control. Difficult-to-clean areas around implant crowns let bacteria settle.
• ✓  History of gum disease. People who lost teeth to gum disease are more prone.
• ✓  Smoking and vaping, which reduce blood flow and healing. See dental implants, smoking and diabetes.
• ✓  Diabetes that isn’t well controlled.
• ✓  Missed reviews. Without professional cleaning, early problems go unnoticed.
• ✓  Excess cement or crown design that traps food and plaque, and heavy biting forces such as grinding. Read more about implant crowns.

At Toothi a routine implant exam is £95 and an implant hygiene appointment is £150. X-rays are £15 each if needed. If we placed your implants, regular reviews are simply part of looking after them.

Prices are fixed and taken from our fees page.

Most of the protection comes from daily cleaning and regular professional reviews. No home remedy will treat an established implant infection. Mouthwash or salt water may ease symptoms but won’t remove the cause, so please see a dentist.

• ✓  Clean twice daily, paying attention to the gumline around the implant crown.
• ✓  Clean between teeth with interdental brushes or a water flosser, as we show you.
• ✓  Keep your reviews so problems are spotted while they’re small.
• ✓  Stop smoking if you can, and wear a nightguard if you grind.

Implants can last many years with care. Read how long dental implants last, our implant aftercare guide, or visit our dental implants page in Edgware.

Yes. Patients whose implants were placed at another clinic, in the UK or abroad, are welcome for an assessment. Please bring any records you have, such as the implant brand, X-rays or treatment notes, because parts vary between systems.

We’ll tell you what we find, what we can treat here and when referral on is the better option. If your implants were placed overseas, see dental implants in Turkey vs the UK.