Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat causes peri-implantitis, and what are the signs?How is peri-implantitis treated, and how can it be prevented?FAQRead nextPeri-implantitis: what it is, signs, causes and treatment
Quick summary of this article+
Peri-implantitis is inflammation around an implant that causes loss of supporting bone, mainly due to plaque. Signs include bleeding, swollen gums, pus, bad taste, recession and, in advanced stages, mobility, often without pain. It starts as reversible mucositis. Treatment removes the infection and addresses risk factors; good hygiene and regular checkups prevent it.
Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the tissues around a dental implant that causes loss of the supporting bone. It is mainly caused by plaque buildup and, left untreated, can lead to implant mobility and loss. It differs from peri-implant mucositis, an inflammation of the gum only, without bone loss, which is reversible with cleaning and care.
In clinical practice, many people believe implants need no care because they do not get cavities. Titanium does not decay, but the gums and bone around it react to plaque much like in periodontitis, sometimes faster. Peri-implantitis also often progresses without pain and is noticed only when there is bleeding, pus or exposed metal.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), who places implants and follows patients with implant prostheses in Mooca, East Zone of São Paulo, explains how to recognize the signs, the risk factors, treatment and prevention.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the dental implants page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What causes peri-implantitis, and what are the signs?
Peri-implantitis is caused by plaque around the implant, which inflames the gum and gradually destroys the bone holding the post. Common signs are bleeding when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gum around the implant, pus, bad breath or taste, recession with exposed metal and, in advanced stages, mobility.
It usually starts as mucositis, limited to the gum and reversible with professional cleaning and better hygiene. If inflammation persists, it reaches the bone and X-rays show loss around the implant threads. Risk factors include a history of periodontitis, poor hygiene, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, missed maintenance visits, hard-to-clean prostheses, excess cement under the gum and bite overload from grinding.
Diagnosis involves examining the gum, gentle probing around the implant to check depth, bleeding or pus, and X-rays compared with earlier images. Because it is often painless, routine checkups are part of implant treatment, not an extra.
How is peri-implantitis treated, and how can it be prevented?
Treatment starts with infection control: professional cleaning of the implant surface and prosthesis, removal of plaque, tartar and excess cement, prosthesis adjustments for easier cleaning and better home care. Antiseptics or antibiotics may complement cleaning. Cases with more bone loss may need surgery, and severely compromised implants may be removed and replanned. Quitting smoking and controlling diabetes improve outcomes.
Prevention is much simpler: brush the implant area with a soft brush, paying attention to where the prosthesis meets the gum, use floss threaders, interdental brushes or a water flosser as advised, and attend regular cleanings with periodic X-rays. Full-arch prostheses need special care underneath. See a dentist for persistent bleeding, pus, swelling, bad taste, recession or any mobility.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano provides implants, implant prostheses and maintenance visits with gum assessment and control X-rays, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, near Bresser-Mooca subway station, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
What is peri-implantitis?
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Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the tissues around a dental implant that causes loss of the bone supporting it. It is mainly caused by plaque buildup and, if untreated, can lead to implant mobility and loss. It usually begins as peri-implant mucositis, which is reversible.
What is the difference between mucositis and peri-implantitis?
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Peri-implant mucositis is inflammation of the gum around the implant only, with bleeding and redness but no bone loss, and it is reversible with cleaning and better hygiene. Peri-implantitis already involves bone loss visible on X-rays and requires more complex treatment.
What are the symptoms of peri-implantitis?
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Bleeding when brushing or flossing, red or swollen gums around the implant, pus, bad breath or taste in the area, recession with visible metal and, in advanced stages, mobility. Often there is no pain, which is why maintenance visits are important for early detection.
Can peri-implantitis be cured?
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At the mucositis stage, inflammation is reversible. With bone loss, treatment aims to control infection and stabilize the bone, and surgery can sometimes regain part of it. In advanced cases, the implant may need to be removed and a new one planned.
Who is at higher risk of peri-implantitis?
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People with a history of periodontitis, poor hygiene, smokers, those with uncontrolled diabetes, people who skip maintenance, those with hard-to-clean prostheses or excess cement under the gum, and people who grind their teeth. The more factors, the more frequent checkups should be.
How can I prevent peri-implantitis?
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Brush the implant area with a soft brush, paying attention to the gumline, use floss threaders, interdental brushes or a water flosser, avoid smoking and attend professional cleanings and checkups with X-rays. With full-arch prostheses, cleaning underneath is essential.
Where can I get peri-implantitis treated in Mooca, São Paulo?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays. The assessment includes examining the gum around the implant and an X-ray, and treatment starts by controlling inflammation and risk factors.
