The presence of periodontitis is the main risk factor for developing periimplantitis, studies reveal. Having a dental implant requires the same care as a natural tooth, so prevention is essential to avoid infections that, in many cases, can endanger the success of implant therapy and/or decrease its “useful life”. One of the world’s leading experts in Periodontics and implant therapy has drawn attention to this growing health problem. In recent years there has been a marked increase in cases of peri-implant diseases, i.e. of disorders that arise around dental implants and that mostly have an infectious nature. It is estimated that currently 1 in 5 carriers of a dental implant will end up developing a peri-implant disease and, as a result, will end up requiring a new intervention. Moreover, 90% of implants will not be lost if basic care is followed.
Objective: preserve the natural tooth
One of the messages defended by experts is that implants should not be considered as a consumer good, but as a medical device that requires care and attention. Therefore, care is required to prevent infections and make an effort to keep them in perfect condition. The implant should never be the alternative to a natural tooth, except in the case of loss. For this reason it would be carried out mainly for functional reasons, and to a lesser extent for an aesthetic issue; however, it’s always for the absence of a tooth or when it is totally impossible to preserve the natural tooth. It’s important to continuously monitor of the patient with implants to avoid diseases such as periimplantitis. Prevention is paramount, apart from being simple, economical and effective.
The rule of two
As another practical advice, the experts emphasize that before carrying out a dental implant treatment, the mouth must be healthy and there should be no gum disease. Poor periodontal health prior to the placement of dental implants can reduce the effectiveness of this therapeutic resource and substantially shorten its half-life. Periodontitis is the main risk factor for developing periimplantitis. Both periodontal and peri-implant diseases can become dangerous for oral health (and even for general health), causing teeth to fall. However, to avoid its appearance it is as simple as following the one known as the “Rule of Two”:
- Usually use two brushes: one conventional and one interdental. The interdental is useful after the use of the conventional, since it covers a greater cleaning in narrow and wide spaces
- Wash the teeth twice a day, at least, aided by dental floss.
- Perform two annual visits to your consulting dentist.
Peri-implant diseases are inflammatory diseases that affect the soft and hard tissues around the osteo integrated implant. They occur as a result of the body’s response to a bacterial infection, similar to which occurs in the case of gum disease. In mucositis there is no bone involvement, unlike periimplantitis.