Can peri-implantitis be cured?

If caught in time, yes, it can be halted and kept under control with deep cleaning and follow-up. If the bone loss is very extensive, sometimes there is no choice but to remove the implant. That is why the key is to detect it early at a check-up.

Does peri-implantitis hurt?

At first it usually gives few symptoms, which is why it is deceptive. You may notice the gum red, swollen or bleeding when brushing, and in advanced stages a bad taste, discharge or that the implant feels loose. At any sign, it is best to have it checked.

Does smoking increase the risk of an implant failing?

Yes. Tobacco is one of the factors most strongly associated with peri-implantitis because it worsens healing and gum health. Quitting, or at least cutting down, greatly helps the implant to last.

Peri-implantitis: why an implant fails and how to avoid it

In short: peri-implantitis is an infection that inflames the gum around an implant and, if left untreated, gradually destroys the bone that holds it until the implant comes loose. It is the main cause of an implant failing years after it is placed. The good news: with hygiene, check-ups and not smoking it is prevented in the great majority of cases.

What exactly is peri-implantitis?

An implant does not decay like a natural tooth, but its gum and bone can indeed become diseased. Peri-implantitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant with loss of the bone that supports it. It begins as something milder, mucositis (the gum becomes inflamed but the bone still holds), and if it is not halted it progresses to peri-implantitis, which already affects the bone.

The difference is important: mucositis can usually be reversed with good cleaning, whereas the bone lost to peri-implantitis does not grow back on its own. That is why catching the problem at the gum stage, before it reaches the bone, changes everything.

Why does an implant fail?

It is rarely down to the implant itself. The usual cause is a combination of factors that allow bacteria to build up around it:

Insufficient hygiene: plaque that stays at the gum margin.
Tobacco: one of the clearest risk factors; it worsens healing and the gum.
Poorly controlled diabetes and other conditions that lower the body’s defences.
A history of gum disease (having had previous periodontics).
Check-ups that are skipped: without maintenance, problems grow without warning.

These statements are general points about dentistry; your particular case can only be assessed by a professional after examining you.

How do I know if I have peri-implantitis?

The signs not to ignore:

A red or swollen gum around the implant.
Bleeding when you brush or use the interdental brush.
A bad taste or bad breath that does not go away.
Discharge (pus) or the sensation that the implant is moving.

The problem is that at first it causes little discomfort, and by the time it really starts to hurt there is usually a fair amount of bone lost. That is why regular check-ups are the best tool: at the appointment the gum is measured and, if needed, an X-ray is taken to look at the bone.

How is it treated?

It depends on how advanced it is. In the early stages, a thorough professional clean around the implant and improving hygiene at home are usually enough to halt it. In more serious cases a more complete gum treatment may be needed or, when there is a lot of bone loss, removing the implant and rethinking the solution. The sooner action is taken, the simpler and more conservative the treatment.

How is peri-implantitis prevented?

Here is the good news, because almost all of it is in your hands:

Daily brushing, taking good care of the implant area, with interdental brushes or whatever system you are recommended.
Dental cleaning and maintenance check-ups as per the schedule you are given.
Not smoking (or cutting it down as much as possible).
Keeping diabetes and general health under control.
Coming in at the first sign: a bleeding gum is not normal, even if it does not hurt.

A well-cared-for implant can last very many years. If this point interests you, we explain it in the guide on how long an implant lasts.

How much does it cost to treat peri-implantitis?

There is no single price because it depends on the state of the gum and the bone. As a rough market reference, a maintenance or cleaning treatment around the implant usually falls in a low range, whereas treating advanced peri-implantitis of the gum costs more. These ranges are indicative: the final quote is always given at the first visit, after examining you.

If you have dental implants and notice that the gum is bleeding or feels uncomfortable, do not wait. At our dental clinic in Bilbao the first consultation is free: we check the implant, explain to you what is happening and, if needed, put it right in time. You can book an appointment from the contact page.