Can Dental Implants Get Infected?

Can dental implants get infected? Poor implantation or oral habits can cause a buildup of plaque and bacteria, causing pain, pus, and other symptoms. Medication or deep-cleaning fixes most cases, but serious cases require surgery.

Did you know that the number of healthy teeth you have can influence your lifespan? A MASHAD Cohort study found the number of teeth you have to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Implants are one of the best and healthiest replacement options if you lose a tooth.

However, they can also be as dangerous as a healthy tooth if they get infected. Knowing all the potential sources of infection your body could face is so crucial because of what happens if they aren’t treated. The bacteria can spread throughout your bloodstream, creating a condition that claims at least 350,000 lives every year.

Preventive habits and recognizing symptoms can help keep an implant infection from becoming serious.

Can Dental Implants Get Infected Years Later?

Dental implant infection begins as perimucositis. It only affects the gum tissue around the implant. Without treatment, it can develop into periimplantitis and start to affect both gum and bone tissue. That can lead to bone loss or a failed implant. The infection can even spread to the rest of your body.

This can happen at any stage of the process. It can show up soon after the implant is placed or years later. There’s also a wide range of potential implant infection causes, including:

Poor oral hygiene
Preexisting gum disease
Smoking
Compromised immune systems
Improper implant placement
Bruxism or teeth grinding
Allergic reactions to the implant

How Do I Tell If My Implant Is Infected?

There’s a more important question to ask than “can dental implants get infected,” and that’s “how will I know if they are?” Identifying an infection quickly allows you to get prompt treatment and prevent it from getting worse.

Symptoms are usually focused around the implant site. They may include:

Redness and swelling
Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Pus or discharge
Implant loosening
Bad breath
Bad taste or odor

These are the signs of the earliest stages of an infection. Certain symptoms indicate that the condition has progressed. Don’t wait to get treatment if you start to notice them, or you could face a dental emergency or lose your implant. These serious symptoms include:

Loose implants
Fever
Gum recession
Visible bone loss
Persistent bleeding
Persistent pain

Preventing Infections

Preventing infections in a dental implant starts the moment after the procedure. Make sure to eat a balanced, soft diet immediately following the implant placement. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol to allow for proper healing.

Dental implant care is also crucial. Brush and floss it like a natural tooth. Make follow-up appointments with your dentist so that they can see the signs of infection and get you treatment as early as possible.

Brushing may be one of the best things you can do for your implants and your oral health overall, but not everyone takes it seriously enough. According to a YouGov survey, only around 30% of Americans brush their teeth twice a day. This lax behavior is one of the main reasons that implants, and teeth in general, get infected in the first place.

Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Treatment options for a dental implant infection differ based on how severe it is. Most cases of early perimocisitis can be treated easily, but severe periimplantitis requires surgery to correct.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Home remedies may not cure the infection, but they can help. Saltwater rinses help remove the bacteria. A cold compress can reduce any pain or inflammation.

Antibiotics and antimicrobial rinses are the first nonsurgical methods that most dentists will recommend to treat an implant infection.

A deep cleaning may be required if the infection is severe enough. It’s a simple procedure that involves scaling and root planing.

Surgical Options

Surgery may be necessary in cases of periimplantitis that has begun to eat away at the gum or jaw tissue. Bone or soft tissue grafting can help repair what’s lost.

A root canal may also be necessary. It can help remove infection within the deepest part of the tooth, known as the pulp.

If the infection is too severe, implant removal may be the only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Percentage of Dental Implants Become Infected?

Dental implant infection is relatively rare. A narrative review by James et al. determined that the prevalence ranges from 10-50%.

There are several factors that determine the risk of your implant becoming infected. The quality of the installation is one of the most important ones. Other risk factors that are more in your control include your:

Overall health
Oral health habits
Smoking history

Can a Failed Dental Implant Be Replaced?

Yes, you can replace an implant. It doesn’t matter the reason it failed, whether it was infection or poor installation. You can put another implant in where the failed one was, but it’s a multi-step process.

The failed titanium posts are removed, and the area is cleaned of any infection or debris. Bone or tissue grafting would be the next step, which can take months to heal. Finally, a new implant is placed where the old one was.

These re-implants have a lower success rate than first-time ones but can last for years. You can also explore other tooth replacement options such as a dental bridge or dentures.

Where to Get Healthy Dental Implants

Can dental implants get infected? Yes, these powerful tooth replacement options can be overwhelmed with bacteria and require immediate treatment without proper care.

Carolina Smiles is the leading dental office in Greensboro. We provide all the services you and your family need in one place. This includes general dentistry, cosmetic treatments, and specialized treatments such as sleep apnea correction.

Our team is dedicated to continuing our education to find the latest, most effective treatments. We’re also dedicated to providing a treatment plan customized to your needs.