Reducing the likelihood of peri-implantitis

As a dental professional, preventing complications is always key to successful treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. Because of this, teaching your patients excellent oral hygiene techniques, and monitoring their hygiene at regular appointments is a priority. This is particularly important for patients who have gingivitis, periodontitis or who are receiving dental implants.

With the popularity of dental implant treatment rapidly increasing, it is more important than ever for clinicians to understand how to prevent complications from developing. Dental implants are often chosen as they provide a long-lasting solution for missing teeth, but they will need appropriate care and maintenance for successful osseointegration.

Bacterial plaque and peri-implantitis

In a healthy mouth, plaque and soft tissues maintain a balance. However, changes during the disease process transform healthy dental plaque into a pathogenic biofilm. When bacterial plaque is allowed to build up, microbial homeostasis can break down. This change in the mouth means ecological stability is disrupted and, consequently, disease develops. Major ecological pressure alongside a low pH, sugar-rich diet, as well as a low saliva flow create the perfect conditions for disease progression. An obvious symptom of oral disease is inflammation of the soft tissue in response to bacterial plaque. Gingival crevicular fluid is increased in response to the inflammation of the periodontal tissues – this leads to a rise in the local pH, which in turn allows bacteria to grow even more.