One good thing about dental implants is that you do not wind up getting classic dental conditions such as tooth decay or tooth nerve inflammation.
But you could be at risk of another condition called peri-implantitis.
Bacteria can cause the tissue surrounding the implant to become inflamed.
Sufferers may feel an itching sensation, says dentist Dr Jochen Schmidt from Cologne, Germany.
The University Hospital of Bonn lists further symptoms like swelling, bleeding and bad breath.
Unfortunately, in its early stages, peri-implantitis usually goes unnoticed.
But do not ignore this inflammation, as over time, it can actually attack and damage the jawbone, says Dr Schmidt.
This has unsightly – and also expensive – consequences as your implant then loses its hold.
Anyone with a dental implant can take steps to protect themselves against peri-implantitis.
One particularly important measure is to clean the implant thoroughly to remove bacteria that can trigger inflammation.
That means also cleaning the spaces between the teeth, e.g. with interdental brushes or dental floss, says the University Hospital of Bonn.
It is also important to attend regular dental check-ups as X-rays, for example, can detect inflammation around artificial tooth roots at an early stage.
Poor oral hygiene is not the only risk factor for peri-implantitis.
Smoking, stress and hormonal changes can also contribute to the development of the condition, says Dr Schmidt.
If a dental implant is already causing problems, get it checked at the dentist’s clinic as soon as possible to find out exactly what is causing the issue.
If it feels itchy, that may be caused by factors other than peri-implantitis, e.g. an allergic reaction to a material or a poorly-fitting crown on the implant.
If the diagnosis is peri-implantitis, the dentist will remove the bacteria from the surface of the implant – surgically if necessary, depending on the severity – and also treat the surrounding tissue.
Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) says poor oral hygiene, a history of periodontitis, smoking, diabetes and lack of supportive care appear to be risk factors for peri- implant disease.
While past reviews have shown limited or conflicting evidence regarding the role of smoking as a risk factor for peri-implantitis, a more recent systematic review provides low-certainty evidence from eight cross-sectional surveys of a significant association, the NHS says.
There is also low-certainty evidence that the placement of implants in smokers is associated with implant failure, postoperative infection and marginal bone loss.
Whether or not you have an implant, dental hygiene can prevent periodontitis, which causes progressive destruction of the tooth supporting tissues.
Periodontitis affects natural teeth while peri-implantitis affects artificial dental implants.
Both periodontitis and peri-implantitis are induced by plaque and cause bone loss.
Signs of periodontitis include clinical attachment loss – manifested as interdental recession and/or periodontal pocketing and alveolar bone loss.
This chronic and inflammatory disease is caused by a complex interplay of risk factors, with dental plaque being the most important.
You can avoid dental plaque by brushing your teeth twice a day, cleaning between your teeth and cutting down on sugary foods, the NHS says. – dpa
