Overland Park Dental Implant Repair

Ward Periodontics is able to diagnose, maintain and treat infections and repair bone loss around dental implants.

The importance of dental implant maintenance

For most patients, dental implants typically require the same amount of daily care as natural teeth. However, if you have a history of periodontal disease or lost your natural teeth from periodontal disease, then you may be at risk for bone loss around your dental implants (peri-implantitis).

Peri-implantitis is a bacterial disease that occurs around dental implants in a similar manner to periodontal disease. However, peri-implantitis disease causes bone loss at a much quicker rate. It also is generally a painless disease until the later stages.

Implant maintenance appointments are critical to evaluate your dental implants and catch the development of diseases early before infection and bone loss develop. Disease caught early is easy to treat, whereas disease caught late can be time consuming and expensive to treat. It is even possible to lose an implant due to peri-implantitis if it is beyond the scope of current treatment modalities. Protect your investment and make sure that you keep your dental implants maintained.

How Can Dental Implants Become Damaged?

There are a few different ways that dental implants can become damaged, resulting in implant failure. The most common of these is an infection around your implant, which is also called “peri-implantitis.” Essentially, this is gum disease that affects the area around your dental implant.

If you do not care for your dental implant and your gums properly, you could be at risk of developing this issue. Plaque, tartar, and bacteria will build up around your gums and your implant, and begin attacking the gum tissue and bone around your implant. Over time, this can cause damage to your bone and gums, and result in the loosening of your implant. This, in turn, will result in implant failure. 

The best way to prevent this is with proper dental implant maintenance, such as brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing once per day. Coming in for regular teeth cleanings and oral exams every six months will also help keep your implant healthy.

More rarely, bone loss may occur around your implant if it has not properly bonded with your jaw bone. If your implant has bone loss of more than 1 mm in the first year or 0.2 mm a year after treatment, it may fail. 

Dental implants can also become damaged by oral trauma. If your implant is damaged by a slip and fall, a hard hit in a contact sport or any other accident, it could be damaged. In most cases, the implant restoration (such as the crown) will need to be replaced, but the implant itself will remain unharmed. However, it is possible for serious oral trauma to dislodge and damage the implant, too. It is important to contact a specialist at Ward Periodontics right away if you suspect your implant may have been damaged by oral trauma.

Contact us today at (913) 563-7400 to get started.

Repair of dental implants (Implant complications)

Finding out that you have bone loss or infection around your dental implant(s) can be devastating. However, bone loss and infection can often be treated. Methods for the treatment of diseased dental implants is a quickly expanding field. New treatments, bone grafting procedures, and growth factors are available to help treat implant complications. However, there are times when dental implants cannot be treated due to extensive infection, bone loss, or fracture and require removal or replacement.

How Can Bone Loss & Infection Be Treated?

If your tooth is infected due to peri-implantitis, the first step is usually to try to clean the treatment area and remove the bacteria that are causing the infection. The gums may be folded back to expose the implant, which will be treated with antibiotics and other specialized compounds. With timely intervention, this is often enough to reverse the damage and save your implant.

If extensive bone loss is present, it may also be necessary to graft some more bone into the implant site. Small bone granules will be packed around the area, encouraging healing and natural bone regrowth. 

To save your implant, it’s important to take action as soon as you notice a potential sign of peri-implantitis or bone loss. The sooner the team at Ward Periodontics can intervene, the more likely it is that we will be able to save your implant. 

What If My Dental Implant Cannot Be Treated and Saved?

If your implant is surrounded by an extensive infection, or you have suffered serious bone loss or a bone fracture near the implant, it may not be possible to save it. In this case, the best course of action is typically to remove the implant completely.

Once your mouth heals, it may be possible to place another dental implant. However, this depends on your specific case. It may be necessary to use a treatment like a bone graft to restore the implant site, or you may be better off with a partial denture or a dental bridge. If your implant must be removed, Dr. Audra Ward and the team at Ward Periodontics will help you understand your options.