What is peri-implantitis? It's an infection around a dental implant that causes bone loss — similar to gum disease around natural teeth. It's the #1 reason implants fail, and far more common than most patients realize.
Why peri-implantitis happens
Many modern implant restorations were designed for maximum aesthetics but aren't shaped for easy daily cleaning. When bacteria build up in areas you can't reach, infection follows.
When other offices say an implant is "hopeless," we look deeper. Our surgical approach repositions tissue to expose contaminated surfaces for thorough decontamination. Then we redesign the restoration so you can actually clean it — every day.
Prevention is even better than rescue. For high-risk patients, we choose tissue-level implants and design every crown with appropriate shapes for daily cleaning. Research shows tissue-level designs carry roughly 3× lower risk over 9 years compared to bone-level alternatives.
Warning signs
If you have any of these around an implant, schedule an evaluation — early treatment prevents bone loss:
- Bleeding when brushing near an implant
- Red, swollen, or tender gums around an implant
- Persistent bad taste or odor from an implant site
- Recession — gum line pulling away from the implant crown
- Loose-feeling implant or crown
- Pain or pus around an implant
- Visible bone loss on x-ray at an implant
The numbers behind peri-implantitis
25–40%
of dental implant patients show signs of peri-implant disease within 5 years — often from prosthetic design, not patient neglect.
3×
higher peri-implantitis risk with bone-level implants vs. tissue-level over 9 years.
Many
implants called 'hopeless' elsewhere have been saved in our practice through tissue repositioning and prosthetic redesign.
How rescue works
01
Comprehensive Assessment
We examine the implant site clinically and radiographically, identifying the source of infection, bone loss pattern, and prosthetic cleansability issues. We tell you honestly whether the implant is savable.
02
Surgical Tissue Repositioning
We surgically reposition the gum tissue to expose contaminated implant surfaces — areas that cannot be cleaned above the gum line. Direct access lets us clean what brushing and flossing can't reach.
03
Surface Decontamination
The exposed implant surfaces are mechanically cleaned and chemically decontaminated using protocols specific to your implant type. This removes bacterial biofilm that drives bone loss.
04
Prosthetic Redesign
Often the original crown was not designed for daily cleansability. We redesign or replace the restoration so you can actually maintain the implant at home — preventing recurrence.
05
Long-Term Maintenance
We establish a maintenance program tailored to your case. Many 'hopeless' implants remain stable and functional for years with proper follow-up.