Peri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory process that affects the tissues, either soft or hard, surrounding the implants. This results in loss of the peri-implant bone, together with an inflammatory lesion with suppuration.Peri-implantitis can mean loss of the implant, so it should not be confused with mucositis.
Mucositis is the appearance of inflammatory changes of the mucosa surrounding the implant. Unlike peri-implantitis, it does not cause bone loss and is a process that can be reversible with adequate treatment.
Why does peri-implantitis occur?
1. Patients with periodontal disease (or pyorrhea) are more predisposed to it.
2. The other most important factor is occlusal overload, both in the axial direction and lateral forces.
Other risk factors are:
3. Smoking habits.
4. Bone quality.
5. Systemic factors.
6. Oral hygiene.
7. Risks caused by surgical trauma.
8. Bacterial contamination during the insertion of the implants.
9. A bad distribution of the forces that generate overload.
10. Types of implant surface.
11. A stability not adequate to the primary stability.
What are the symptoms of peri-implantitis?
1. The presence of bacterial plaque and calculus around the implant.
2. Edema and reddening of the marginal tissues.
3. Increased probing depths and slight bleeding or suppuration after this procedure.
4. Vertical bone destruction in relation to the peri-implant pocket.
5. The radiological presence of bone resorption.
6. The persistence of pain and discomfort in the patient.
7. The mobility of the implant in the final phase of the disease.
Maintenance of implants to the dental clinic should be performed at least every 6 months, which will be very important to detect possible peri-implantitis in its initial phase. If the disease develops without diagnosis, it becomes increasingly difficult to treat and the implant may have to be removed.
Maintenance also makes it possible to prevent the growth of aggressive bacteria that can cause bone loss to our implants, so it is an effective preventive measure.