Preventing and Tackling Dental Implant Infection

Whether you have dental implants, or are looking into getting them, infection is an important topic to know about. The most common type of infection for patients is called peri-implantitis, a gum disease that results in bone loss and implant failure. Spotting the signs early can decrease the impact it can have on your oral health. There’s no need to fret though, dental implant infection can be treated! Read on to learn common symptoms to keep an eye out for, and what can increase your risk of implant failure.

What Are The Symptoms of Infection?

To treat the infection before it progresses and drastically affects your oral health, it’s important to know what symptoms and signs to look out for. Some common ones that could signify you have an implant infection include:

• Chronic bleeding for the first 24 hours following the surgery.
• A worsening fever.
• Severe pain that isn’t eased by medication.
• Noticeable swelling.

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your dentist immediately so they can address this issue. The earlier you begin fighting infection, the less future problems you’ll need to deal with. Keep in mind that your dental implants can become infected right after your surgery as well as the weeks or months following.

What Causes Implant Infection?

There are many factors that can increase your risk of implant infection. Knowing the causes can help you avoid infection. Some factors that impact the procedure’s success include:

• Gum Disease: When your gums are infected, it can develop and cause gum recession and implant failure.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking restricts your blood flow to the gums and can impact your healing process. Tobacco use can also cause dry mouth, leading to an increase in harmful oral bacteria.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: A good oral hygiene routine can control the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth and prevent complications such as gum disease and decay.

Discussing any concerns that you may have with your dentist is a great way to feel confident about your oral health going into the procedure. Knowing the potential complications and causes can help you know what to look out for and identify issues early.

What Can You Do If Your Dental Implants Are Infected?

If you notice any symptoms or are at increased risk of dental implant infection, you should speak to your dentist. They can help diagnose and treat the infection as well as help you establish preventive techniques for after the surgery. Great oral hygiene is the best way to ward off infection.

The treatment you’ll receive will depend on how advanced the infection is. Your dentist may put you on antibiotics or even replace the implant if you notice symptoms right after your surgery. If the infection happens after your restorations are placed, your dentist may need to adjust your bite, or clean around the implant. In severe cases, you may need additional surgery to replace it.

Leaving an infection untreated can lead to detrimental consequences for your oral health. Knowing the causes and symptoms of dental implant infection can help you identify it early on. Your dentist can save your implants, but it’s important to be diligent about communicating any issues you notice. Enjoy all the benefits this procedure has to offer by protecting yourself from infection!

About the Author

With over 25 years of dental experience and knowledge, Dr. Greg Friedman offers his patients the high quality care they can trust. He focuses on helping his patients feel comfortable and welcomed by getting to know them and understand their needs. As an active member of a number of associations including the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the American Association of Functional Orthodontics, he focuses on using the most advanced up-to-date treatments and technology. For any questions or to schedule a consultation for dental implants, visit Mod Squad Dental’s website or contact  858-547-0070.

By: Dr. Greg Friedman.