Common signs of an infected implant

Dental implants work exactly like natural teeth, which means they can get infected by poor oral care. When the gums and bone structure around the implant gets infected, it forms a disease called peri-implantitis. It’s caused due to bacteria present in the mouth. If left untreated, it causes inflammation, bone loss, and implant failure. The infection can start soon after your dental implant surgery or after a few years. Moreover, low-quality dental implants can put you at a higher risk of developing an oral infection.

Here are some warning signs of an infected implant:

Pain and Fever

You usually experience pain after the implant surgery, it’s a sign that you are healing. It lasts for a couple of days and then slowly reduces on its own. However, if you experience persistent pain in your implant after a long time, it could mean you have an infection. Pain in the implant after a bite of food could also indicate that your tooth is at risk. Bacteria from the infection will lower the body’s immunity. A low immune system can cause fever.

• Swollen gums
  Swollen gums are a common sign associated with oral infection. Inflammation and red gums can be a sign of peri-implantitis. An untreated oral infection can spread to other areas in the mouth, thus causing more health problems.
• Loose Implant
  If you sense that your implant is loose, visit the dentist immediately. A wobbly implant could be because of bone loss or some bacterial infection. Quick treatment can save you from further damage to the jawbone.
• Puss & bleeding
  If you notice pus or bleeding in the gums, the implant is likely to be infected. Your gums can also bleed while brushing. Bleeding can be a sign of gingivitis or inflammation.
• Trouble chewing
  The patients that do not use titanium implants may have trouble chewing their food. Titanium implants help you to chew easily as they naturally fuse with the bone structure.
• Chronic bad breath and unpleasant taste

The infected implant can cause microbial leakage around the teeth. Microbial leakage gives you bad breath and alters the taste in the mouth while eating. Low-quality implant materials cause these problems.

What can put your implant at risk?

• Low immune system
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Improper Oral Hygiene
• An improper fixture of the implant
• Low bone density
• In a rare case, the implant does not fuse with the bone.

What should I do if my oral implant is infected?

Contact our clinic immediately if you show or experience any of the above symptoms. A dental infection can lead to severe oral complications if left untreated. Our dentists can provide the best treatment for your case after a checkup and reduce any infections.

FAQ’s:

1. What is peri-implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is an infection affecting the gums and bone around a dental implant, caused by bacteria in the mouth. If untreated, it leads to inflammation, bone loss, and potential implant failure.

2. Is pain normal after dental implant surgery?

Mild pain is normal for a few days post-surgery as part of the healing. Persistent or worsening pain, especially after eating, may indicate an infection and requires immediate attention.

3. What factors increase the risk of implant infection?

Risk factors include a low immune system, diabetes, smoking, poor oral hygiene, low bone density, improper implant fixture, low-quality implants, or rare cases of failed bone fusion.

4. What are the warning signs of an infected dental implant?

Signs include persistent pain, fever, swollen or red gums, loose implants, pus or bleeding, trouble chewing, chronic bad breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

5. What causes bleeding or pus around a dental implant?

Bleeding or pus is often a sign of infection, such as peri-implantitis or gingivitis, caused by bacteria. It can also result from poor oral hygiene or low-quality implant materials.