Minimal Waiting Times
Secure prompt & timely care with minimal waiting times within 5 weeks at our Neutral Bay & Newcastle clinics. This will guarantee that any periodontal and implant issues you may have will be treated promptly.
Expert Guidance from a Leading Authority
Exceptional Patient Care
Rest easy knowing that we prioritise the highest quality of patient care and services, ensuring your comfort, well-being, and satisfaction throughout your treatment journey.
Precision for Long-Lasting Results
Our treatments are meticulously performed to reduce the chance of infection and relapse, providing you with precise care that yields enduring outcomes for your oral health.
Highest Quality Equipment
Our clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies, enabling us to provide you with the most advanced and effective gum disease treatment available.
Dental Implants and Gum Disease
Have you had a dental implant to replace your natural teeth and are concerned about periodontal disease? Smile Specialist Suites offers expert diagnosis and treatment of dental implant gum disease, otherwise called peri-implant disease.
Our friendly periodontists have extensive experience with implantology and peri-implant diseases.
What is a dental implant?
Dental implants are designed to replace lost, broken, or diseased natural teeth and give you a smile that both looks and feels natural. They consist of a tiny metal post that is inserted into the jawbone, and a replacement tooth (crown) is attached over the top of the missing teeth.
Dental implants are designed to replace damaged or missing teeth. A tiny metal post acts as the “root” and an artificial tooth is attached over the top to restore your smile.
What is dental implant disease?
Sometimes things can go a little wrong after dental implant surgery, and you may develop peri-implant disease. This peri-implant disease happens when gum inflammation arises around the dental implant, leading to damage in the surrounding tissues.
What are the risk factors for developing peri-implant disease?
The main risk factors for developing peri-implant disease are:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Poor plaque control (not brushing or flossing).
- Smoking
- Previous periodontal disease diagnosis
- Certain medications
- Some medical conditions, such as diabetes or immune-system conditions,
The different types of peri-implant diseases
Peri-implant diseases come in two forms: peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.
Peri-implant mucositis:
Generally, peri-implant mucositis is a mild form of peri-implant disease where the gum tissue surrounding the implant placement becomes swollen and red. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene and a lack of professional checkups on a regular basis. Peri-implant mucositis can lead to peri-implantitis disease if not successfully treated; therefore, early diagnosis and management are essential.
Peri-implantitis:
This is a more severe form of dental implant disease where the bone supporting the implant placement begins to break down. It is the result of bacteria, food, and plaque building up on the natural tooth or implant surface. Peri-implantitis can cause the dental implant to become loose and the bone structure of your lower or upper jaw to be compromised.
What are the signs and symptoms of dental implant disease?
Peri-implant diseases can present with symptoms such as:
- Red, swollen gums, especially around the dental implants
- Bleeding when brushing your teeth
- Pus
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Pain and discomfort
- Wobbly or loose dental implants
- Difficulty chewing
- Gum recession
There are many signs and symptoms that you are developing peri-implant disease, such as bleeding gums and pain.
Do you experience any of the above symptoms? Talk to our periodontists
How do you treat peri-implant disease?
Peri-implant diseases can be managed without invasive procedures if caught early enough. Once peri-implant mucositis progresses to peri-implantitis, the treatment is usually surgery.
Peri-implant mucositis is treated with a deep cleaning of your natural teeth, gum tissue, and the dental implant placement. You may also require
- Medication such as antibiotics and mouthwash, to kill the bacterial infections.
- LAPIP is a laser treatment to provide a deep clean between your teeth and gums.
Peri-implantitis requires surgical treatment to manage the bone loss and treat inflamed gum tissue. In the case of complete implant failure or too much disease in the tissues and bone supporting the implant, removal of the dental implant may be a viable option.
Can you prevent peri-implant disease?
To prevent peri-implant diseases, it is essential to:
- Have a proper oral health routine that includes brushing at least twice per day, flossing, and use of mouthwash.
- Regularly see a dental hygienist to clean and descale your natural teeth and artificial teeth.
- Smoking cessation.
- Have regular check-ups with your dentist or periodontist.
With our expert care, you will find your radiant, healthy smile once more!
Why choose Smile Specialists Suite for your dental implant disease management?
The Smile Specialists Suite is truly invested in your dental well-being. We provide custom-made treatment strategies for peri-implant diseases in a warm and welcoming clinic. Our team has extensive experience in dental implant surgery, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis.
Our emphasis is on addressing the core issues affecting your oral health, ensuring you receive thorough treatment that targets the source, not merely the signs and symptoms. With comprehensive therapy tailored to your unique needs, we will soon have you smiling confidently again.
Find Us
You can find expert treatment for peri-implant diseases in Neutral Bay or Newcastle.
- NEWCASTLE
Suite 1, Level 2, 55-57 Hunter Street
Newcastle NSW 2300 - (02) 4009 1428
- admin.newcastle@smilespecialistssuite.com.au
- NEUTRAL BAY
Suite 206, 40 Yeo Street
Neutral Bay NSW 2089 - (02) 9908 5588
- admin.neutralbay@smilespecialistssuite.com.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Find all the commonly asked questions about peri-implant diseases below.
What diseases are associated with dental implants?
The infection called peri-implant disease starts off as per-implant mucositis. When diagnosed and treated early, you may only need medications, a deep clean, and laser therapy. However, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can progress to peri-implantitis, where you may have bone loss and implant failure, and surgery is the preferred treatment.
They also specialise in cosmetic treatment and periodontal plastic surgery involving the gum (gummy smiles, gum recessions); and reconstructive periodontal treatment (dental implants with associated bone grafts and gum grafts).
Becoming a periodontist requires three or more years of full-time additional education beyond regular dental education. This level of education gives periodontists the expertise to perform cosmetic and restorative work to your mouth and face and means they are registered as a specialist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA, the relevant body of medical and dental boards).
In fact, they carry highly specialised skillsets and there are only around 250 periodontists in Australasia (i.e. including our neighbour countries).
What is peri-implant disease?
Peri-implant disease is a condition where inflammation or infection occurs around artificial teeth from dental implant procedures. This causes damage to the surrounding tissues and sometimes to the underlying bones.
How do you fix implantitis?
Peri-implantitis usually results in bone loss around the dental implants and significant gum line inflammation. Surgery is usually the only viable option to fix implantitis and halt bone loss.
What are the symptoms of dental implant failure?
Symptoms of the failure of dental implants are significant swelling and redness, bleeding gums, a loose or wobbly implant, and pain.
Can peri-implantitis be cured?
Yes, peri-implantitis can be cured with proper treatment. Surgery is usually recommended; however, your periodontist will assess the severity of your condition and make recommendations based on that.
What are the signs of dental implant infection?
Signs of dental implant infection include:
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Pus
- Severe pain
- Swelling and gum inflammation
- Red or tender gums
- Discomfort or difficulty chewing.
Can dental implants cause problems years later?
Yes, if not properly cared for, dental implants can cause problems or peri-implant diseases years after dental implant procedures. It is vital that you practise good oral hygiene and see a dentist or periodontist regularly.
What autoimmune disease are dental implants a cause of?
The placement of dental implants does not cause any specific autoimmune diseases. However, individuals with an autoimmune condition may have a high risk of complications such as implant failure or peri-implant disease.
Talk to Prof. Quaranta
Smile Specialists Suite is led by Professor Alex Quaranta and Dr Lizzy Hui. Professor Quaranta is a world authority in the field of dental Implantology. Over the years, he has developed an extensive expertise and leadership in clinical research and specialist practice.
Together with his Clinical Research Team, he has successfully practised the dental implant treatments for years and is one of the pioneering leaders in the new and ever-evolving concepts of contemporary Implant Dentistry.
To explore your options and discover how our team can help transform your smile, schedule a consultation with Professor Alex Quaranta. Your journey to a brighter, more radiant smile starts here. Contact us today to begin the conversation.