Infected Dental Implants
Dental implants are a common dental procedure performed on an estimated 500,000 people each year in the United States. In fact, the National Library of Medicine estimates that 70 percent of American adults between the ages of 35-44 years old have lost at least one of their permanent teeth. Many of them due to gum disease, dental decay, or trauma. If you’ve lost one of your teeth a dental implant may be a good fit for you to restore your mouth to its full functionality.
Why dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent alternative to dentures. Installed on posts that are affixed to your jawbone, implants look and act like real teeth. To install them, a dentist installs a small screwlike structure into your jawbone, called a post. This post then fuses with the jawbone and gums. Then the implant is attached to the post. This results in a permanent tooth that acts and looks like a real one. Just like natural teeth, a dental implant can become infected or fail. When getting a dental implant, it is important to know what the signs of an infection are.
What causes infections in dental implants?
There is not a singular cause of problems with dental implants. Often, a problem with the implant is caused by numerous factors. Infections around a dental implant are called, peri-implantitis. If an implant is neglected or not properly care for, it can become infected over time, just like natural teeth. There are also factors that can impact a patient’s ability to heal, causing infection, such as diabetes, existing periodontal disease, cancer, misalignment in the bite, and even sometimes an allergic reaction to the implant itself. Smoking is also a leading cause in problems with dental implants.
How can I tell if I have an infection in my dental implant?
The symptoms of an infected dental implant are similar to the symptoms of gum disease in general. These symptoms can include one or more of the following: bad breath or taste in the mouth, red or puffy gums, gum bleeding, a loose or wobbly implant, throbbing or aching pain around the implant or in the mouth especially when chewing, or fever. It is important to see your dentist right away if you are experiencing these symptoms, especially if the symptoms are severe. Your dentist will be able to diagnose peri-implantitis right away and determine a corrective course. If caught early enough a dentist may be able to reverse the infection with a specialized mouthwash or antibiotics. In other cases, surgery, surface decontamination with laser therapy, mechanical debridement, or antimicrobial therapy may be necessary.
If you have recently had an implant and are experiencing symptoms that you think may be an infection it is important to see your dentist right away. Peri-implantitis can cause significant damage to your mouth and if not treated will only get progressively worse, including leading to bacterial infections. A healthy mouth is vital to a healthy life. With proper care and oral hygiene, dental implants can ensure that you have a fully functioning mouth.
