Treatment for Dental Implant Problems

Knowledgeable Treatment for Dental Implant Complications

• Warning Signs of Implant Complications
• What Causes Implant Failure
• Saving Dental Implants with LAPIP™

Drs. Perlman and Molina sometimes see new patients who previously had implants placed and who are now having problems with them. Although the vast majority of implants are successful, a very small percentage of implants may develop complications requiring special treatment or replacement.

Dental implants are the most lifelike and durable option for missing teeth. But like natural teeth, the surrounding bone and soft tissue around the implants are still susceptible to the accumulation of oral bacteria that can harm the supporting bone structure.

As with traditional periodontal disease, early diagnosis and treatment is key to saving the dental implant. Our doctors and experienced hygienists provide the comprehensive periodontal evaluation and maintenance that is crucial to their patients’ implant health.

Warning Signs of Implant Complications

The following are signs that an implant has developed potential complications, and therefore an examination is needed:

• Swelling of gums around the implant
• Red or bluish-purple gums around the implant (indicates inflammation)
• Bleeding at the gumline when brushing
• Deepening of gum pockets
• Sensitivity or soreness around the implant
• Pus coming from the implant or gums
• The implant is loose
• Exposure of implant’s metal thread

What Causes Dental Implants to Fail

Implants have demonstrated a very high success rate. However, when complications happen, the main sources of difficulty are caused by infections, incorrect implant placement, poor fit of the attached restoration (teeth), or the failure of implant integration with the jawbone.

Instability of the Dental Implant

An implant can be set in the wrong position or placed where there is inadequate bone support. Sometimes the implant is placed properly but the bone surrounding it fails to integrate with the implant.

In either case, normal biting and chewing forces will cause instability of the implant and it can become loose. It is also more susceptible to infection when unstable.

Infection and Implant Failure

Most infection takes the form of a special type of gum disease known as peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is characterized by infection of the gums and bone loss around the implant. It can be caused by a number of factors, including poor oral hygiene, smoking, dental cement for the crown getting under the gumline, and health problems such as diabetes. Rarely, it can be the result of excessive pressure on the implant caused by a problem with bite alignment. If left untreated, the infection and continued bone loss can lead to implant failure.

Saving Dental Implants With LAPIP™

Drs. Perlman and Molina are highly skilled and experienced in diagnosing and treating dental implant complications. In order to treat peri-implantitis, they use the minimally invasive laser-assisted peri-implantitis protocol (LAPIP)  to restore the supporting bone structure of the implant to a stable and healthy condition.

Our doctors use gentle and highly focused lasers to destroy the bacteria, remove the infected tissue and stimulate bone regeneration around the implant. If the bite is misaligned, our doctors will readjust it. They will also scale the surface of the implant with the laser’s scaling tool.

In rare instances where it is found that the implant has failed and cannot be saved, our doctors will outline and explain the treatment needed to place a new implant.

The Benefits of LAPIP

• Minimally invasive
• Removes bacteria with the same accuracy and effectiveness as LANAP treatment for natural teeth
• Stops bone loss around dental implants
• Reinforces stability of dental implants
• Restores longevity and function of dental implants

Come See Us If There Is a Problem

If you are experiencing any of these problems or have any other questions regarding your dental implants, come in for a full exam. Our doctors will answer your dental implant questions.

To make an appointment, call 904-900-2552 or click here to request an appointment online.