Dental Implant Infection Treatment Issaquah Highlands, Washington

Peri-Implantitis Treatment Service in Issaquah Highlands, Washington

Comprehensive Treatment for Dental Implant Disease at OneSmile

Dental implants are a significant investment in your long-term oral health, offering a permanent solution for missing teeth. At OneSmile, we are committed to ensuring that investment lasts a lifetime. However, like natural teeth, implants require diligent care, and they can be susceptible to a condition known as peri-implantitis, or dental implant disease.

What is Dental Implant Disease (Peri-Implantitis)?

Peri-implantitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the gum tissues and bone surrounding a dental implant. It is highly analogous to periodontal disease (gum disease) in natural teeth.

• Peri-mucositis: The initial, milder stage, involving only inflammation of the gum tissue around the implant, similar to gingivitis. This stage is often reversible.
• Peri-implantitis: The advanced stage, where inflammation progresses to cause the loss of the supporting bone structure around the implant. If this bone loss continues, it can ultimately lead to the implant becoming loose and needing to be removed.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

While dental implants are incredibly resilient, several factors can contribute to the development of peri-implantitis:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing around the implant allows plaque to build up.
2. Lack of Professional Maintenance: Skipping regular check-ups and cleanings prevents early detection and removal of hardened plaque (calculus).
3. Smoking: Tobacco use significantly impairs healing and increases the risk of infection.
4. Underlying Health Conditions: Uncontrolled diabetes and certain systemic diseases can compromise the body's ability to fight infection.
5. Excess Cement: Residual dental cement left over from the crown placement can irritate the gums and attract bacteria.

Our Advanced Treatment Approach

The team at OneSmile utilizes a personalized, multi-phase approach to treat peri-implantitis, focusing on preservation and restoration:

1. Thorough Diagnosis: We use advanced 3D imaging (CBCT) and digital X-rays to accurately assess the amount of bone loss and the extent of the infection surrounding the implant.
2. Non-Surgical Therapy: For early-stage peri-mucositis, treatment involves deep cleaning (debridement) of the implant surface to remove bacteria, plaque, and calculus, often with the help of specialized plastic or titanium instruments.
3. Surgical Intervention: For advanced peri-implantitis with significant bone loss, surgical procedures may be necessary. This can include:
   • Implant Surface Decontamination: Accessing the infected surface to thoroughly clean and detoxify it.
   • Osseous Surgery (Bone Grafting): Applying bone graft material to regenerate the lost bone structure around the threads of the implant, stabilizing the post and preventing future failure.
   • Soft Tissue Grafts: Restoring healthy gum tissue around the implant.
4. Long-Term Maintenance: Following treatment, we create a specialized recall schedule for our patients, often involving more frequent professional cleaning and hygiene instruction to prevent recurrence.

Don't risk your smile! If you notice signs of discomfort, bleeding, swelling, or a strange taste around your dental implant, contact OneSmile immediately. Early intervention is the key to a successful outcome.