While dental implants are fantastic for replacing missing teeth, some may experience gingivitis (gum inflammation) afterward. This can range from mild, short-lived swelling to severe cases requiring immediate attention to prevent implant failure.
Unlike natural teeth, implants lack nerves and blood vessels, so they don’t get cavities. However, healthy gums are crucial for long-term success.
This article dives into “how to treat gum infection around implant.” We’ll explore symptoms, causes, and effective treatments for gingivitis after dental implant surgery, helping you achieve a speedy recovery and confidently enjoy your new smile.
Understanding Dental Implants
First, we need to discuss the concept of dental implants before “how to treat gum infection around implant“. Dental implants are the installation of artificial teeth to replace natural teeth. Many resort to dental implant surgery when a tooth is damaged as a result of a chronic bacterial infection or when a tooth is extracted as a result of complete tooth decay and fragmentation.
The success rate of dental implant surgery is more than 90% for the upper and lower jaw. The lifespan of the implanted tooth reaches 25 years, according to doctors’ reports, and it can last a lifetime if the patient pays attention to his general health and oral and dental health in particular.
We find that the dental implant procedure is performed without any pain, but the patient may feel very slight pain that can be overcome with painkillers.
Importance of Addressing Infections
Since the dental implant procedure is not as simple as it seems to some, it is normal for you to develop gingivitis afterward, but do not worry, as this inflammation usually does not last more than a week if you do not suffer from any medical conditions.
You can treat gingivitis after dental implants easily, especially when you diagnose the condition and start receiving treatment early.
So here are “how to treat gum infection around implant”:
- Refrain from smoking for at least a day or two after the operation.
- You can rinse your mouth with warm water with salt added a day after the procedure.
- Avoid solid foods and sweets after the procedure.
- After the operation and for several days, refrain from chewing food near the transplant site.
- Make sure to brush and floss your teeth with caution.
- If gingivitis is caused by a weak immune system, such as lack of control over blood sugar levels, or if you have diabetes, the doctor may recommend following up with specialist doctors to control the sugar level or treat other conditions that cause weak immunity.
- If the cause of gingivitis is that the implant crown is not suitable, then the doctor can remove it, take measurements again, and replace it with a suitable crown.
- The patient can wear a night guard if the gingivitis is caused by the habit of clenching the teeth.
- Visit your dentist for a routine dental examination and cleaning to reduce the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth and prevent recurring gum infections.
- If the inflammation is caused by the presence of residual adhesive materials, the inflammation can disappear once these materials are removed.
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Causes and Risk Factors
In addition to “how to treat gum infection around implant” Gingivitis often results from insufficient or appropriate brushing and dental flossing. It can also result from medical conditions or the use of certain medications.
When inflamed, the gums take on a red color, become swollen, and bleed easily. The diagnosis is often made based on the dentist’s examination of the patient’s gums. Good oral health, daily brushing of the teeth, in addition to adequate nutrition, help eliminate and prevent gingivitis, and can also help Mouthwash can be useful in this regard.
Infection is a very common condition in which the gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. Infection can cause some pain in its early stages, or it may not cause any significant pain. As for untreated Infection, it may develop into inflammation of the tissues supporting the tooth, which is a condition More severe disease may eventually lead to tooth loss.
Common Causes of Infection
Before we get to know “how to treat gum infection around implant”. Here are some common factors that lead to tooth infection:
1-There are problems with the implanted tooth, which leads to gingivitis after a period of implantation, such as it being too long, which causes problems with the teeth clenching together and increases the load on the jaw.
2-Also, if the implanted tooth is too small, it may lead to gaps between the artificial tooth and the adjacent teeth, thus allowing food debris to accumulate and cause inflammation of the gums.
3-Lack of attention to oral hygiene, which allows tartar to form, which affects the gums and leads to inflammation.
4-The presence of remnants of the adhesive used to attach the artificial crown to the nail, which the dentist must remove after completing the procedure, but some may neglect to remove it, which causes inflammation and irritation of the gums.
5-The patient suffers from diseases that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV, or others, which makes the patient more susceptible to gum infections.
6-Following unhealthy habits such as clenching the teeth, which increases pressure on the implant and gums and thus causes infections.
7-Continue smoking after completing the dental implant procedure, as smoking increases the bacteria around the implant.
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Factors Increasing Infection Risk
Before you start knowing “how to treat gum infection around implant” you must avoid the causes. As Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the implant occurs due to many reasons, the most important of which are:
1-Problems of the crown
One of the most common causes that lead to gingivitis after a period of surgery is a misaligned implant crown. The main task of the implant crown is to compensate for the function of the tooth.
So that the patient can chew food and clench his teeth in complete comfort without any problems. But what if the implant crown turns into a cause of inflammation? Such as the following cases:
- The high implant crown makes it difficult for the teeth to close together and increases the load on the gums and bone.
- The crown is not sealed tightly, which can cause food debris to collect around it, leading to gingivitis.
- There is a distance between the crown of the implant and the adjacent tooth, which causes food to collect between them and inflammation begins to occur.
2-Not taking care of oral hygiene:
Paying attention to oral hygiene after dental implants is one of the most important reasons for the success of the implant.
When this is neglected, layers of plaque consisting of bacteria that live in the mouth begin to collect around the implant, as happens with a natural tooth, and gum infections begin to occur, which may end with the entire bone around the implant eroding and the implant nail falling out.
3-Remnants of implant crown adhesives:
The implant crown is glued to the screw using an adhesive, which is completely safe for the body, but the doctor must remove the excess amount of adhesive from the gums to avoid gingivitis after dental implants.
One of the famous dental implant mistakes that the doctor may make is not paying attention to removing Adhesive.
4-Immunodeficiency diseases:
The relationship between the bacteria that inhabit the patient’s mouth and the immune system can be considered an ongoing war, and the weaker the person’s immune system is, the easier the situation is for the bacteria.
Therefore, we find that people who suffer from immunodeficiency diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes or AIDS can be exposed to gum infections. After dental implants more than others.
5-Unhealthy habits:
Some people have unhealthy habits, such as clenching their teeth during sleep or throughout the day, which leads to exhaustion of the tissues surrounding the implant and placing an excessive load on the screw and gums, causing inflammation.
6-Smoking after dental implants:
One of the most important reasons that may lead to gum infections after dental implants is continuous smoking, as smoking increases the gum pockets and layers of bacteria around the implants, causing inflammation.
7-Gum infections before the transplantation procedure:
If the patient suffers from gingivitis and periodontal pockets before the implant surgery, it is expected that the rates of gingivitis around the implant will become greater, and therefore any infections in the surgical site must be treated before the implant.
8-Dental implant abscess:
Dental implant abscess occurs as a result of a bacterial infection around the implant. The infection can spread to reach the gums, causing gingivitis around the dental implant.
Implant abscess can also appear as swelling of the gums with the possibility of pus coming out, or sometimes it appears as swelling of the cheek after dental implants.
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Recognizing Infection Symptoms
It is expected that an infection will occur after a dental implant operation, and this is due to many reasons related to the patient, such as the cleanliness of the place or an error during the operation. Before identifying “how to treat gum infection around implant”, you should first recognize the symptoms of infection.
1-Localized vs. Systemic Symptoms
Gingivitis around dental implants occurs in two main stages:
- Peri-implant mucositis (inflammation of the mucosa around the implant) is an infection that affects the tissues around the implant and does not reach the level of decreased jaw bone density, and must be treated immediately to avoid complications or loss of dental implants.
- Peri-implantitis, which is the second stage of gingivitis around implants, is more severe, causing a decrease in bone density in the affected area of the jaw, and must be treated immediately to avoid losing the implants.
2-Common Signs of Infection
Swelling and redness of the gums are among the most important symptoms of gingivitis. Among the symptoms of gingivitis after dental implants, you should consult your dentist if you feel them:
- Swollen gums around implants.
- Gum discoloration.
- Bleeding gums at the implant site.
- High temperature (fever).
- Loosening of dental implants.
- Pain that is not relieved by painkillers.
- Ringing in the ear.
- Bad breath.
- Gum recession; It is an increase in the length of the teeth due to receding gums, which leads to the exposure of the roots of the teeth, so the teeth become more sensitive to heat or cold.
- Gum abscess due to the accumulation of bacteria around the teeth.
- Tooth loss.
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Immediate Actions
If you’re wondering about “how to treat gum infection around implant”, here are the answers. If you feel some of the symptoms we mentioned above, there are some symptoms that you should take, so that you can treat the infection and significantly limit its spread in the gums.
1-Contacting Your Dentist
If you feel any swelling in the gums or any of the other symptoms we mentioned, you should contact your doctor immediately and book a medical visit.
The doctor will conduct a quick examination and evaluate the size of the infection in the mouth, and then he will work on “how to treat gum infection around implant”, whether by prescribing some medical drugs. Or through surgical intervention.
2-Home Care Guidelines
The basic step in “how to treat gum infection around implant”, is to follow the doctor’s instructions immediately and adhere to them. It may be an infection caused by the patient’s negligence in following the instructions.
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Diagnosis
After informing the doctor of the symptoms we mentioned above, the doctor will work on “how to treat gum infection around implant” through three methods: a clinical examination by checking the condition of the implanted tooth and the size of the infection, as well as diagnostic imaging such as conducting some X-rays to confirm the condition of the dental implant, and the last thing is the microbiological test.
1-Clinical Examination
In this case, the patient will undergo some glomerular examinations by the dentist and his team. This type of examination is used if the infection is not widely spread between the teeth.
2-Diagnostic Imaging
The doctor performs this type of diagnosis if the infection is caused by the movement of the implant or if the dental implant does not fit the patient’s body. In this case, this type of examination is performed for the purpose of treating the infection and limiting the spread of the infection.
3-Microbiological Tests
The doctor performs this type of examination in the case of second-degree inflammation, in order to ascertain the level of spread of inflammation on the gums, specifically the teeth that have been implanted.
how to treat gum infection around implant?
Since the dental implant procedure includes many surgical procedures such as incision of the gums, it is normal for inflammation of the gums and mouth cells after the operation for a short period of time, extending to two or three days at most. So here are “how to treat gum infection around implant”:
- Take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, as these medications increase wound healing and treat gingivitis after dental implants.
- Brush your teeth according to your doctor’s instructions.
- Do not eat solid foods to avoid damage to the original and implant teeth.
- Rinse with warm water and salt after the procedure according to the instructions of the treating physician.
- Wear a dental guard, especially at night, to avoid clenching during sleep.
- Replace the implant crown if it is not suitable and is the cause of gingivitis.
- Go to the treating physician as soon as any of the symptoms we mentioned in this article appear. Because treating gingivitis after dental implants early prevents other problems with the mouth and teeth.
Antibiotics
Taking antibiotics is one of the common methods for “how to treat gum infection around implant”, as the doctor prescribes the type of antibiotic appropriate to the patient’s condition and also determines the dosage and timing.
1-Types of Antibiotics
Perio Protect gel is used to treat bacterial infections and stimulate the gums to heal. It is used by placing it in a special mold (similar to clear removable braces), then placing it on the patient’s teeth and leaving it for about an hour.
Deep cleaning through the use of ultrasonic devices, which helps remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, clean under the gum line, and smooth the rough surfaces of the teeth and roots.
Which leads to the treatment of gingivitis and stimulates its healing, especially after implant operations. In severe cases of gingivitis, the doctor may refer the condition to a periodontist to find the best treatment
2-Dosage and Duration
The duration of the doses is determined according to the patient’s condition, and the duration increases as the severity of the pain increases.
Surgical Interventions
Surgical intervention may be necessary to reduce the pain of gingivitis caused by dental implants, and It is a form that helps in “how to treat gum infection around implant”.
1-Incision and Drainage
The doctor makes a very small incision next to the dental implant to get rid of the contaminated materials that cause tooth infection.
2-Implant Removal (in severe cases)
In advanced cases of third-degree gingivitis, the doctor performs surgical intervention and removes dental implants if they are causing the pain.
Non-surgical Approaches
It is a form that helps in “how to treat gum infection around implant”. In This case, the doctor treats gingivitis without any surgical intervention by prescribing some antibiotics.
1-Laser Therapy
Laser, as dentists use it to remove bacteria and causes of inflammation from around the implant or implant, to reduce the possibility of gingivitis.
2-Antiseptic Rinses
Debridement, which is similar to a routine cleaning process, where the doctor carefully cleans the implanted area, removing deposits, plaque and tartar, and during this treatment he uses special hand tools made of titanium to ensure that the implant is not damaged in any way.
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Healing Abutment Exchange
Healing Abutment Exchange
In addition to the methods we mentioned in “how to treat infection around dental implant”, there are more other methods that are followed by dentists, which are as follows.
1-Removal of Excess Cement (if applicable)
In this case, the doctor removes the excess material, or what is known as the material, surrounding the tooth abutment until the pain is completely eliminated.
2-Other Adjunctive Procedures
The pain may be caused by the implant moving from its place. In this case, the doctor will examine it carefully by conducting medical tests.
Preventive Measures
There are some preventive measures that you can take to enjoy a dental implant procedure free of infection or inflammation, which are good oral hygiene and following a good diet.
1-Effective Oral Hygiene Practices
Paying attention to oral hygiene is not limited only to dental implants, but rather it is a lifestyle that is loved to be followed and applied to different age groups.
2-Regular Dental Check-ups
Visiting the doctor on a regular basis reduces the occurrence of gingivitis, and this is what we recommend to our patients at Mavidenta, as immediate follow-up reduces dental problems after dental implants.
3-Managing Risk Factors
Do not expose yourself to danger following a dental implant procedure, so listen to the doctor’s warnings and instructions carefully and follow them to prevent any complications or problems.
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Recovery and Aftercare
After getting rid of “how to treat gum infection around implant”, we now move to another stage, which is the recovery stage and how to deal with the teeth at this stage.
1-Post-Treatment Instructions
After using the appropriate treatment to reduce gingivitis, the doctor will prescribe some instructions and guidelines. At this stage, you must follow these instructions well in order to avoid exposure to gingivitis again.
2-Monitoring Healing Progress
You can follow up on your recovery by visiting the doctors and then performing tests to ensure that your gums and teeth are completely healthy, and this is what we recommend to patients at Mavidenta.
Potential Complications
It is possible that the patient will experience infection again if he neglects the instructions or steps mentioned by the doctor, and these complications are as follows.
1-Recurrence of Infection
The infection may recur again, but at this stage it will multiply and become more severe than before, such as third-degree gingivitis.
2-Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is one of the most painful types of inflammation, and usually occurs if the patient neglects dental cleaning or becomes infected more than once.
3-Implant Longevity Considerations
It is worth noting that the frequent occurrence of inflammation or infection affects the lifespan of dental implants and makes them not last for many years.
Patient Experiences
Listening to patients’ stories and evaluations makes it more moral, so here are some stories about “how to treat gum infection around implant.”
Personal Stories and Outcomes
One patient says: “I have been smoking cigarettes heavily for 15 years or more, and thus I lost most of my teeth. I had an implant operation to replace my missing teeth about eight months ago.
I cannot say that I adhered to most of the doctor’s instructions about reducing smoking or taking care of oral hygiene. A month ago, I began to feel itchy gums with a slight feeling of pain. The gums started to bleed when eating.
I didn’t care at first and thought it was a passing thing, but as the situation continued, I went to see the doctor. My transplant doctor told me that I was suffering from severe gum infections and that this was something to be expected with excessive smoking accompanied by a lack of attention to oral hygiene.
That’s why the doctor conducted two sessions for me to clean the tartar and gums about implants. After completing the two sessions, the doctor told me that treating gum infections after implantation, in my case, is easy if I adhere to the instructions for cleaning the implants well. He also prescribed me an anti-inflammatory rinse for two weeks, and now I feel a little better in my gums.”
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Future Developments
If the patient fails in “how to treat gum infection around implant”, he is likely to experience many complications that are difficult to solve or control.
Advancements in Infection Management
It is possible to prevent gingivitis after dental implants by following the following steps:
- Rinsing the mouth using a sterile mouthwash.
- Regular visit to the dentist every six months.
- Quit Smoking.
- Eat foods rich in calcium, such as milk, yogurt, broccoli, and oranges, or use nutritional supplements that contain calcium to strengthen your jaw bones.
Conclusion
At the end of the text, gingivitis is one of the most complex problems that people suffer from, especially after dental implants, so we mentioned “how to treat gum infection around implant”. You can also avoid contracting such inflammation through several methods, such as following the doctor’s instructions and visiting the doctor frequently, in addition to avoiding Harmful foods, keeping a clean mouth free of pollutants and avoiding smoking.
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