Dental implants are reliable artificial roots that replace missing teeth. However, like any surgical procedure, implant placement carries certain risks and teeth implants can get infected. Factors such as poor oral hygiene, improper surgical techniques, and the patient’s general health can increase this risk. Therefore, early diagnosis is very important in the event of an infection, as timely intervention can help preserve the health of the implant.
You can find comprehensive information in this article regarding in can teeth implants get infected and what are the symptoms.
What is a Dental Implant Infection?
Dental implant infection (peri-implantitis), is a condition that causes inflammation around an implant fused to the jawbone. This condition can progress over time and cause loss of the bone supporting the implant.
This can damage the gums and bone, making it harder for the implant to stay stable. Similarly to periodontal diseases, peri-implantitis usually does not cause noticeable pain. Therefore, it becomes difficult for patients to detect the infection around the implant.
The question “Can teeth implant get infected?” is particularly relevant in this context. As peri-implant infections can develop silently and lead to significant complications if not detected early. To diagnose the condition, dentists first assess gum health by probing the area and checking for bleeding. Additionally, X-ray images are used to determine the extent of bone loss.
Can an Implant Get Infected?
Despite the high success rate of teeth implants, they can get infected for certain reasons and if symptoms are not recognized early, the consequences can even lead to the loss of the implant. Implant infections, also known as peri-implantitis, are inflammatory conditions that affect the soft and hard tissues surrounding the implant. This condition can lead to the loss of supporting bone if not treated promptly.
From the moment the implant is exposed to the oral environment, bacteria rapidly multiply and form a subgingival flora within a certain period. Insufficient oral hygiene, in particular, facilitates the inflammation of peri-implant tissues due to these bacteria.
However, since there is no connective tissue barrier in peri-implant infections, the infection can quickly progress to the bone.
Can A Tooth Implant Get Infected Years Later?
A tooth implant may get infected over the years due to factors such as smoking, systemic diseases, and predisposition to periodontitis. In particular, smoking, which adversely affects blood circulation, slows down the healing process and paves the way for complications.
In addition, improper positioning of the implant can lead to bone resorption over time. Bone loss creates a favorable environment for bacteria to accumulate, increasing the likelihood of infection.
Are Dental Implants Prone To Infection?
In general, dental implants are not prone to infection. But there is a risk of infection after an implant procedure. However, in most cases, infections can be controlled without causing serious problems.
Also, in some cases, infection can lead to complications that can cause implant failure and even life-threatening risks. To avoid such complications, the patient’s medical and dental history should first be thoroughly examined.
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Causes of Dental Implant Infection
Teeth implants can get infected usually due to bacteria contacting implants during surgery or spreading through gloves and instruments. Apart from this, many factors play a role in the development of infection after implant placement:
- Surgical Contamination
- Bacterial Colonization
- Subgingival Cement Residues
- Microscopic Gaps
In addition, grooves on the implant surface can lead to bacterial accumulation. Moreover, the sharp surfaces of these grooves can damage the gums, setting the stage for infection.
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General Risk Factors for Teeth Implant Infection
Dental implant infections occur when the balance between bacteria and the host response is disturbed following the successful fusion of the implant with bone. The development of this condition poor oral hygiene, smoking, and a history of periodontal disease are among the risk factors with the strongest scientific evidence. There are some potential risk factors;
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Alcohol & Cigarette Consumption
- Poor Oral Hygiene
- Genetic Predisposition
- History of Periodontal Disease
- Cardiovascular Diseases
The structure of the soft tissues around the implant is also a factor affecting the longevity of the procedure. Keratinized soft tissues with a thick biotype provide resistance to inflammation and help the patient maintain oral hygiene. Therefore, not only hard tissues but also soft tissues should be carefully evaluated before implant surgery.
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Dental Implant Infection Symptoms
Dental implant infection is a condition that begins by affecting the superficial tissues around the implant and gradually threatens its stability. Infections, especially those that occur in the first few days after surgery, usually present with symptoms such as swelling, exudate (pus) and pain.
Other symptoms of an infected implant resemble those of gum disease. These signs can appear alone or in combination.
10 Signs Of Dental Implant Infection
- Loose or wobbly implant
- Red or swollen gums around the implant
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Halitosis (Bad breath)
- Discomfort or throbbing in the affected area
- Dull pain upon palpation
- Difficulty chewing
- Bleeding around the implant while brushing
- Bleeding during mild probing
- Swelling in the mucosa
Increased blood flow in the tissues and purulent discharge are also common findings. Additionally, bone loss often appears as a crater-shaped defect in radiographic images.
What Does Infected Dental Implant Look Like?
Implants placed in the sinus or implants that slip into the sinus for various reasons can cause the development of chronic infection over time. As a result, pain, swelling, edema, redness in the sinus area can be observed.
There is also a significant growth of the mucosa, thickening of the membrane and epithelial changes. This may be accompanied by purulent discharge from the nasal cavity.
How to Prevent Dental Implant Infections?
To prevent dental implant get infection, both doctors and patients need to pay attention. First, the dentist should perform the procedure in a sterile work area. To do this, the instruments should be disinfected with solutions containing povidone-iodine and alcohol, and surgical gloves should be cleaned with sterile saline.
In addition, your dentist may require the use of antibiotics before and after the procedure to prevent the risk of infection. Furthermore, during the first two weeks after the surgery, you may be asked to support your oral hygiene at home with chlorhexidine mouthwashes.
Patients should attend regular dentist visits as part of supportive periodontal treatment and pay attention to oral hygiene. In case of infection, some treatment options can be applied.
What To Do If Tooth Implant Gets Infected?
Although teeth implants can get infected for many reasons, treatment is often simple and effective with the right intervention.
Dental implant infections, if not controlled early, can damage the bone supporting the implant and lead to implant loss. Therefore, a systematic approach should be adopted for the prevention and treatment of infection. Treatment usually requires a combination of antiseptic and antibiotic protocols.
Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
Clinical and radiographic evaluation is essential for proper management of infection. Probing bleeding, suppuration and probing pocket depth are important criteria in determining the health of the peri-implant tissues.
This examination should be performed in the mesial, distal, buccal and lingual regions of each implant. In the initial examination, the presence of dental plaque, bleeding and pus formation should be evaluated by probing.
Antiseptic Treatment
In the presence of bleeding, increased probing depth (4-5 mm) and suppuration, antiseptic treatment should be applied together with mechanical cleaning. In this process
- Chlorhexidine solution mouthwash or
- Chlorhexidine gel is applied to the infected area.
Antiseptic treatment must be applied regularly for 3-4 weeks to be effective.
Antibiotic Treatment
Antibiotic treatment is necessary if the probing depth is 6 mm or more, bleeding and suppuration are present, and bone loss is detected on radiographic examination. Antibiotic therapy eliminates bacteria and promotes soft tissue healing.
Can Infected Implant Be Saved?
The salvageability of infected implants depends on the general condition of the patient, the morphology of the defect and the chosen treatment method. The rate of bone loss is a critical factor in determining the surgical strategy to be applied.
Regenerative (supporting bone regeneration) treatment is recommended for circumferential and intra-osseous defects. In the presence of on–bone defects, resective approaches may be more effective. In addition, studies show that especially resective treatment can prolong the life of infected implants.
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FAQ'S
You can find information about if dental implant infection and all other informations by checking the frequently asked questions.
The incidence of dental implant infections is directly related to the importance of the patient’s attention to oral hygiene and whether they attend regular dental visits. Neglecting supportive periodontal and peri-implant care can also significantly increase the risk of infection.
Although tooth implants have high success and longevity rates, the incidence of peri-implant diseases is increasing. When infection develops, the tissues around the implant can be damaged, and bone loss can occur over time. If left untreated, this can progress to the loss of the implant.
Dental implants create a new surface for microorganisms in the mouth, setting the stage for bacterial accumulation. Especially in cases of poor oral hygiene, these bacteria can multiply rapidly and cause inflammation and infection of the peri-implant tissues.
Infections in dental implants occur when the balance between the body’s immune system and the microorganisms in the mouth is disturbed. The bacteria that cause infection usually originate from the natural flora of oral mucosa.
In addition, factors such as diabetes, smoking, malnutrition, non-compliance with hygiene rules and deficiencies in surgical techniques can increase the risk of infection.
Dental implant infection usually presents with symptoms such as localized swelling, tenderness, pain and redness. These symptoms may also be accompanied by a periodontal pocket of increased depth.
