Helping prevent peri-implantitis
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 19th February 2020
Even though dental implant treatment is becoming more and more popular, one considerable risk still remains – the development of peri-implantitis. A serious bacterial infection, peri-implantitis is often cited as the main cause of dental implant failure.[i]
But how can professionals limit the chances of peri-implantitis taking hold?
Why does peri-implantitis cause implant failure?
Before you can effectively protect against a condition, it’s important to be able to know as much about it as possible. Although the term peri-implantitis gets thrown about a lot in lectures and clinical studies, very few of these really delve into what the disease is and why it causes dental implant failure.
Effectively, peri-implantitis is an infectious, site specific disease that causes inflammatory responses in soft tissue and bone loss in the affected area. As it targets both the soft and hard tissue, it can be very destructive and quickly cause considerable damage to the implant foundation, resulting in it becoming loose and eventually failing.
The disease is generally caused by two types of microbes – spirochetes and mobile forms of Gram-negative anaerobes.[ii]
As such, it’s important for practitioners to be aware of what allows these bacteria to colonise and to dispense appropriate advice and make the right choices before and after surgery.
Before implant treatment
Experienced dental implant surgeons will know that there are certain cases which are more likely to result in failure. For example, a lack of substantial bone at the site is likely to result in a weaker implant foundation, and this means that an implant may fail even without peri-implantitis occurring.
However, peri-implantitis is also more likely to manifest in certain individuals depending on their health and behaviours, and these include patients over the age of 65,[iii] those with poor oral hygiene, as well as those who partake in habits such as smoking.[iv]
As such, it’s necessary for professionals to explain to patients why they may be at a higher risk before implant surgery is agreed. Litigation against dentists is fast becoming a real threat, and the development of peri-implantitis post implant surgery is one of the more common reasons for this legal action to take place. Therefore, it’s always necessary to ensure that patients know the full extent of the risks, especially if they are in one of the higher risk groups for developing the disease. It’s also worth encouraging smokers, or individuals with poor oral hygiene to change their habits for a substantial time, to see if implants become a viable treatment for them.
Aftercare is essential
Though outside factors can affect peri-implantitis, one of the strongest links between the development of the disease and those who get it is how adherent they are to proper aftercare. On a surface point of view this makes sense – the disease is caused by bacterial build-up, so an excellent standard of health is essential.
However, it’s also important to stress the fact that a dental implant needs to be treated even better than regular teeth. This means regular hygienist appointments, a comprehensive home oral care routine and a detailed aftercare plan. It’s also worth encouraging them to invest in some products to help improve their oral hygiene regime at home, such as water flossers, as these are likely to be more effective at eliminating bacterial build up.
Implant choice matters!
Although proper patient assessment and aftercare are absolutely vital, it’s also a good idea to explore different implant options in order to see which ones are most likely to help prevent peri-implantitis occurring.
There is a huge variety of dental implants available nowadays, and each of these will promise to have certain benefits regarding shape, material and surface topography. However, one thing to look out for is whether they have any bacteria-proofing capabilities, especially between the abutment and the implant itself as this is a common place for bacteria to colonise.
Just one of the many benefits of the new Myplant Two implants from myplant is their inner cone design. Not only does this innovative feature result in a virtually bacteria-proof connection between abutment and implant, but it also helps to ensure outstanding mechanical load capacity and a high fatigue strength. This means these implants are perfect for providing a long-term, reliable and predictable solution.
Give yourself the best chance of success
Peri-implantitis is still a somewhat mysterious disease that can affect everyone, even those without the increased risk factors. Nonetheless, it’s so important that professionals approach every case in a way which gives the best possible chance of avoiding the disease. By properly discussing the risks and making sure patients are aware of the necessity of exceptional aftercare as well as choosing implants that can help prevent bacterial build up, you can give all of your implant patients the best chance of success.
To find out more, visit www.myplant-dental.com, email order@myplant-dental.com or call 0800 779 7879
Author: Mark Croft Managing Director UK & Ireland MyPlant
[i] Madhura, K., Palaskar, S., Kapoor, K. Implant Failure: A Dentist’s Nightmare. Journal of Dental Implants. 2016; 6 (2): pages 51-56.
[ii] Prathapachandran, J., Suresh, N. Management of Peri-Implantitis. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2012 Sep-Oct; 9(5): 516–521.
[iii] Poli, P., Beretta, M., Grossi, G., Maiorana, C. Risk Indicators Related to Peri-Implant Disease: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study. J Periodontal Implant Sci. 2016 Aug; 46(4): 266–276.
[iv] Kasat, V., Ladda, R. Smoking and Dental Implants. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2012 Jul-Dec; 2(2): 38–41.
