Peri-implantitis Treatment in Brookline, MA
Your Dental Implant May Be Saveable. Let Us Take a Look.
If you have been told your dental implant is failing, or if you are experiencing pain, swelling, or bleeding around an implant, do not give up without a specialist evaluation. At Pleasant Dental Associates in Brookline, MA, our board-certified periodontists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat peri-implantitis — the leading cause of dental implant failure — and in many cases, the implant can be saved.
What Is Peri-implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding a dental implant. Similar to gum disease around natural teeth, it is caused by bacterial biofilm accumulating around the implant. If left untreated, peri-implantitis destroys the bone supporting the implant and ultimately causes it to fail.
A common misconception is that dental implants are immune to disease because they are made of metal and porcelain. In reality, the gum tissue and bone around an implant are just as susceptible to bacterial infection as they are around natural teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Peri-implantitis
• Bleeding or discharge around the implant
• Swollen, red, or tender gum tissue around the implant
• Pain when pressing on the implant area
• Implant feeling loose or unstable
• Visible bone loss on X-ray around the implant
• Recession of the gum tissue around the implant
Many patients with early peri-implantitis have no obvious symptoms. Regular monitoring of implants at your dental visits is essential for early detection.
Risk Factors for Peri-implantitis
• History of periodontal disease
• Diabetes (particularly uncontrolled)
• Smoking
• Poor oral hygiene
• Lack of regular implant maintenance
• Implant overload from a poorly fitting restoration
Our Peri-implantitis Treatment Approach
Non-Surgical Treatment
In early stages, peri-implantitis can often be managed without surgery. This involves professional cleaning of the implant surface using specialized instruments designed to clean titanium without damaging it, combined with antimicrobial therapy and improved home care.
Surgical Treatment
For more advanced cases, surgical intervention is needed to access the implant surface, remove infected tissue, and decontaminate the implant. Depending on the degree of bone loss, regenerative procedures may also be performed to rebuild the supporting bone around the implant.
Second Opinions Welcome
If you have been told your implant needs to be removed, we encourage you to seek a specialist evaluation at our office before making that decision. Many implants that appear hopeless can be treated and retained with the right approach.
Preventing Peri-implantitis
The best treatment for peri-implantitis is prevention. This means:
• Attending regular implant maintenance appointments every 3–4 months if you have a history of gum disease
• Brushing and flossing around implants as directed
• Not smoking
• Managing systemic health conditions like diabetes
• Having your implant restoration checked regularly for proper fit and occlusion
Why Choose Pleasant Dental Associates for Peri-implantitis?
• Periodontists are the recognized specialists for peri-implantitis management — this is precisely what our training covers
• Dr. Jess Liu — Director of the Implant Fellowship Program at Boston University, with deep expertise in implant complications
• Full range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options
• In-house prosthodontists to evaluate and correct the implant restoration if it is contributing to the problem
• Second opinions welcome — we regularly help patients who have been told their implants cannot be saved
Frequently Asked Questions — Peri-implantitis
Q: Can peri-implantitis be cured?
A: Early-stage peri-implantitis can often be successfully treated and controlled, similar to gum disease. Advanced cases may require surgery and bone regeneration. The implant can frequently be preserved with timely specialist intervention.
Q: How common is peri-implantitis?
A: Research suggests that peri-implantitis affects approximately 20% of dental implant patients to some degree. It is the most common complication of dental implant therapy and the leading cause of late implant failure.
Q: How is peri-implantitis different from peri-implant mucositis?
A: Peri-implant mucositis affects only the soft tissue (gum) around the implant and does not involve bone loss. It is reversible with treatment. Peri-implantitis involves bone loss around the implant and is more serious, requiring more aggressive treatment.
Q: Will I need to have my implant removed if I have peri-implantitis?
A: Not necessarily. Many implants can be saved with appropriate treatment, particularly when peri-implantitis is caught early. Our periodontists will evaluate your specific case and present all available options before recommending removal.
📅 Ready to Get Started?
Pleasant Dental Associates is now accepting new patients. $259 New Patient Special.
Call 617-975-3399 | 1318 Beacon Street Suite 20, Brookline, MA 02446
Book online: dental4.me/pleasantdental/1