What Should I Do If I Have an Infected Dental Implant?

what should i do if i have an infected dental implant

Peri-implantitis, a type of gum disease, is an infection that develops surrounding one’s dental implant. This infection is normally caused by consuming tobacco, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, a weakened immune system, misaligned bite, bruxism, or an allergic reaction.  Gum bleeding and a deep pocket between the gum and the implant are symptoms of this condition.

The surrounding bone may be affected by this infection, which can also result in swollen gums and unpleasant discharge. If you experience such conditions it is important to get the right and appropriate treatment to avoid any major oral health concerns. Visiting a dentist near you is an ideal solution to prevent any complex issues in case of infected dental implants. 

Diagnosing Of Infected Dental Implant 

The first thing your dentist will do is take a dental x-ray of your infected dental implant. The dentist will probe the area around the implant to determine the severity of the infection. Early detection of the infection is crucial to save your dental implant.  In some cases, patients may be unaware that the implant is infected because it doesn’t always cause pain or show signs of infection. Your dentist will also assess if the gum infection or inflammation is caused due to any other oral health problems. 

These symptoms may appear at first after dental implant treatment due to bone remodeling or poor oral health, therefore it’s essential to determine the infection’s root cause in order to receive the appropriate care.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of an infected dental implant are mostly similar to the symptoms of gum disease. The following signs indicate that your dental implant may be infected:

  • Loose implant 
  • Swollen and redness in gums
  • Unpleasant taste
  • Bad breath 
  • Extreme pain and discomfort 
  • Exudate in the area 
  • Difficulty in eating 
  • Fever
  • Bleeding while brushing the implant 

Consult a qualified dentist that provides dental implants near you if you encounter any of the aforementioned issues and start your treatment to prevent more serious problems.

Treating an Infected Dental Implant 

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and practice appropriate dental care routines to reduce the risk of infection in dental implants. You can eliminate the development of infection by avoiding tobacco and smoking. Maintaining your overall health and strong immune system can also reduce the risk of infection. 

Even after taking these precautions, you might still experience infected dental implants. If the infection is not serious and extreme it can be cured by following some dental care routines and antibiotic treatment. You might need immediate treatment from an expert if the infection has damaged your bone. The treatment process includes removing the implant, curing the infection with antibiotics, allowing the area to heal, and then replacing the implant.

Other ways to remedy infected dental implants include: 

  • Mechanical cleaning
  • Surgery 
  • Removal of implant 
  • Antibiotics

If you are looking for dental implants in Winnipeg you can contact us to consult with our specialists. We are happy to help our patients to restore their oral health issues. We have a team of experts at our dental clinic in Winnipeg who priotize patients’ concerns and guide them throughout the procedure. 

Contact us and schedule your appointment today! 

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