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Symptoms

Early Signs (Peri-Implant Mucositis – reversible)

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Dental implant infections are more common than people realize

  • Redness or inflammation around the implant site

  • Swelling of the gums

  • Bleeding when brushing

  • Mild discomfort or tenderness

  • Slight bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

Gingivitis in Teeth = Mucositis in Implants

 Dental implant infections are more common than most people realize and are often preventable. Find out what causes them, how to spot the symptoms, and what you can do today to protect your health and your investment.

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Implant mucositis is a reversible inflammatory condition affecting the soft tissues surrounding a dental implant, without any accompanying loss of the supporting bone.

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Key Features:​

  • Cause: Primarily due to bacterial plaque accumulation, similar to gingivitis around natural teeth.

  • Symptoms:

    • Redness and swelling of the peri-implant mucosa

    • Bleeding on probing (BOP)

    • Possible tenderness or mild discomfort

    • No radiographic bone loss (compared to baseline after implant placement)

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Important Distinction:​

  • Implant mucositis affects only the soft tissue.

  • Peri-implantitis, in contrast, involves both inflammation and progressive bone loss around the implant.

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Treatment:​

  • Improved oral hygiene

  • Professional debridement, air polishing, laser, and irrigation

  • Antimicrobial therapy (e.g., ozone water, molecular iodine)

  • Patient education and maintenance program

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Prognosis:​

  • Good if caught early and managed appropriately—progression to peri-implantitis can be prevented.

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Periodontitis in Teeth  = Peri Implantitis in Implants

Peri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory disease affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding a dental implant, leading to progressive bone loss and potential implant failure if left untreated.

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Key Features:​

  • Etiology: Typically caused by bacterial plaque and exacerbated by risk factors such as:

    • Poor oral hygiene

    • History of periodontitis

    • Smoking

    • Diabetes

    • Excess cement or ill-fitting restorations

  • Clinical Signs:

    • Redness, swelling, and suppuration of the peri-implant mucosa

    • Bleeding on probing (BOP)

    • Increased probing depths

    • Radiographic evidence of bone loss

    • Sometimes pain or implant mobility (in advanced cases)

  • Diagnosis:

    • Comparison to baseline radiographs to assess bone loss

    • Clinical inflammation plus ≥2 mm of bone loss (after initial remodeling)

 Implant Mucositis vs Peri-Implantitis

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Feature                    Implant Mucositis                             Peri-implantitis

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Affects                     Soft tissue only                                 Soft tissue and bone

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Bone Loss                None                                                Yes and progressive 

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Bleeding                   Yes                                                   Yes

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Reversibility               Yes                                                   Not fully reversible

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Treatment Focus        Control infection                              Control infection and bone loss

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​​​ Treatment Approaches:​

  • Non-surgical:

    • Ultrasonic debridement

    • Air Polishing

    • Laser 

    • Antimicrobial therapy (e.g., Ozone water, Molecular Iodine )

  • Surgical:

    • Laser surgery for decontamination

    • Regenerative procedures (e.g., bone grafts, membranes)

  • Supportive Therapy:

    • Ongoing maintenance

    • Patient education and risk management

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