Signs that you are having problems with your implant include:
- Red or inflamed gums around the implant
- Bleeding gums while brushing your teeth
- Gum swelling around the implant
- Exposure of the implant threads
- Loose implant
- Pus coming from the gums around the implant
Treatment options for peri-implantitis:
The sooner we are able to treat these symptoms, the better! Early stages of peri-implantitis can be treated nonsurgically. Anesthetic is applied to the affected area and Dr. Neil Lutins, Dr. Luis Benitez and Dr. Veronica Longville will clean the diseased implant surface thoroughly above and below the gumline with specific instruments.
When peri-implantitis is more advanced, surgical therapy will be necessary. After anesthetic is applied, our periodontists will gently lift the gum tissue around the diseased implant and thoroughly clean the implant surface. Sometimes, the diseased surface will also be treated with topical antibiotics. If extensive bone loss has occurred, sometimes bone generation will be done using bone graft material and a collagen membrane.
Sometimes, our periodontists may recommend a minimally invasive laser treatment called LAPIP™ (laser-assisted peri-implantitis protocol). This is very similar to LANAP®, but it is for implants instead of natural teeth. We use this to treat infected gum tissue near dental implants. The laser stimulates regrowth of the gum and bone tissue that may have been lost due to peri-implantitis.
Following these treatments, there will be a healing period. During this time, we recommend that you only eat soft food and are very gentle with the area. Our periodontists and team will give you more information regarding the healing process specific to your situation.
For more information about peri-implantitis therapy in Greensboro, North Carolina, please contact Greensboro Perio today at 336-379-8377 and schedule an appointment with our periodontists, Dr. Luis Benitez and Dr. Veronica Longville. We are excited to help you restore your oral health!
This 65-year-old male was referred by his general dentist to address an infection and bone loss surrounding
an implant that had been in place for several years. His gum tissue was gently reflected, and a thorough
cleaning was performed to remove the infected tissue. The area with bone loss was filled with bone graft
material and covered with a membrane to promote regeneration, reduce bone loss, and eliminate infection and
pocketing.