by Rana Baroudi
Dr. Baroudi is a Board Certified Periodontist. She has successfully passed the American Board of Periodontology oral and written examinations covering all phases of periodontal disease, its treatment and dental implants. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Periodontology at UCSF where she enjoys teaching and lecturing on a bi-monthly basis.
Learn MoreDental implants are widely recognized as one of the most reliable and long-lasting solutions for replacing missing teeth. When properly placed and maintained, they can last for decades—and often a lifetime. Still, as with any surgical procedure, complications are possible. One of the most serious concerns is infection around a dental implant.
Understanding how implant infections develop and recognizing early warning signs can make the difference between preserving an implant and losing it. Prompt evaluation and specialized periodontal care play a key role in protecting the long-term success of dental implants.
Infections around dental implants most commonly occur due to peri-implant disease. This condition develops when bacteria accumulate around the implant, leading to inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. If left untreated, the infection can progress and result in bone loss around the implant.
Several factors can increase the risk of implant infection, including poor oral hygiene, untreated gum disease, smoking or tobacco use, excessive biting forces or bite misalignment, certain medical conditions such as diabetes, and delayed treatment of early inflammation. Although dental implants are made from biocompatible materials like titanium, the surrounding gum and bone tissue remain vulnerable to bacterial infection.
Early detection is one of the most important factors in successfully treating an infected dental implant. Unfortunately, mild symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for normal healing.
Early warning signs that should never be ignored include red, swollen, or tender gums around the implant, bleeding when brushing or flossing near the implant, persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste, and ongoing discomfort or soreness that does not improve. At this stage, timely periodontal care may stop the infection before it causes lasting damage and threatens the stability of the implant.
When an implant infection progresses, it can begin to affect the bone supporting the implant. This advanced stage significantly increases the risk of implant failure.
More serious symptoms may include pus or discharge around the implant site, gum recession that exposes parts of the implant, pain when chewing or applying pressure, and a sensation that the implant feels loose or unstable. Once bone loss occurs, treatment becomes more complex and often requires advanced periodontal intervention.
Ignoring an infected dental implant can lead to serious complications. As bacteria continue to damage the supporting bone, the implant may lose stability and ultimately fail.
Potential consequences include progressive bone loss around the implant, implant mobility or complete failure, spread of infection to nearby teeth and tissues, and the need for implant removal followed by bone grafting. In severe cases, untreated infection can compromise future dental implant placement in the same area, making early treatment especially important.
Diagnosing infection around a dental implant requires a thorough periodontal evaluation. This typically includes a detailed clinical examination, measuring gum pocket depths around the implant, X-rays to assess bone levels, and a review of medical history and individual risk factors. Accurate diagnosis allows for more conservative treatment options and improves the chances of long-term implant success.
Treatment depends on how advanced the infection is and how much bone has been affected. Early-stage infections may be treated with professional deep cleaning around the implant, antibacterial or antimicrobial therapy, and customized oral hygiene instructions. More advanced infections may require surgical cleaning of the implant surface, removal of infected tissue, and bone grafting to rebuild lost support.
Specialists trained in periodontal and implant care focus on preserving implant stability whenever possible, even in complex cases involving advanced infection.
An implant infection does not automatically mean implant failure. When caught early, many infected implants can be successfully treated and saved.
The likelihood of saving an implant depends on how early the infection is detected, the extent of bone loss, the patient’s overall health and lifestyle habits, and the quality of the original implant placement. This is why ongoing maintenance and regular periodontal evaluations are essential after receiving dental implants.
Prevention is always the best strategy. Patients can significantly reduce their risk of implant infection by maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home, attending regular periodontal maintenance visits, avoiding smoking or tobacco products, managing chronic health conditions, and addressing gum inflammation early. Routine professional cleanings and monitoring allow potential problems to be identified before they become serious.
Dental implants rely on healthy gums and strong bone for long-term success. Periodontists receive advanced training in managing the tissues that support implants, making specialist care especially valuable when complications arise.
At Cambrian Periodontics and Dental Implants, advanced surgical expertise is combined with a proactive approach to implant maintenance, helping patients protect their investment and maintain long-term oral health.
Dental implant infections don’t always cause severe pain right away, which is why early symptoms are often overlooked. Redness, swelling, bleeding, discomfort, or noticeable changes around an implant should always be evaluated promptly.
Early treatment improves the chances of saving the implant and helps protect surrounding teeth and bone. With proper care, monitoring, and expert periodontal treatment, dental implants can remain a strong, reliable solution for many years to come.
