Many people assume that dental implants and crowns can’t get diseased—and in a way, that’s true. Titanium implants and ceramic crowns themselves cannot develop infections like natural teeth. However, the bone and gums surrounding them can become infected.
These conditions occur when bacteria attach to the dental implant or the base of the crown, leading to inflammation in the surrounding tissue.
There are two main diseases that can affect the gums and bone around a dental implant.
Peri-Implant Mucositis
The most common condition is peri-implant mucositis, which is inflammation of the gum tissue around a dental implant or crown. This condition is similar to gingivitis but is limited to the area around the implant.
Unlike traditional gum disease, peri-implant mucositis does not necessarily affect surrounding natural teeth and is often reversible with proper care and professional treatment.
Peri-Implantitis
The second and more serious condition is peri-implantitis. In addition to gum inflammation, this disease also causes bone loss around the dental implant.
If peri-implantitis progresses too far, the implant can lose stability and may ultimately fail.
After receiving dental implants, it’s important to follow all post-operative cleaning instructions and attend regular dental check-ups. These steps can help stop implant-related disease early and protect the long-term success of your implant.