Infected Dental Implants
Following the placement of your dental implants, it is important to closely follow aftercare instructions provided by your periodontist. By adhering to these instructions, you will avoid experiencing unnecessary discomfort, your recovery process will be much faster, and perhaps most importantly, you will reduce your risk of developing an infection.
Unfortunately, even the most diligent of patients is still at some small risk of developing an infection following placement of a dental implant, which is why it is important to be aware of the following five most common signs of a dental implant infection.
- Pain and/or Difficulty Chewing: Immediately after your dental implant procedure, it is normal to have some pain and difficulty while you are chewing, but over the counter or prescription medication can help manage this pain. Pain that persists, spreads, or increases following your procedure may be an indication of an infection, especially if it progresses to the point of interfering with your ability to chew or talk.
- Swelling, redness, and fever: As is the case with pain or difficulty chewing, these signs are very common, however if these issues persist for more than a few days, especially when accompanied by a fever, this may indicate an infection.
- Persistent bad taste: Accumulation of debris and bad bacteria is what causes dental implant infections to occur. When enough accumulates, you may begin to notice an unusual and unpleasant taste in your mouth that persists even after brushing. If you notice this issue, you may have an infection.
- Leaking Pus or Bleeding: It is normal to have some bleeding the first few days following your procedure, but if this bleeding persists, you may have developed an infection.
- Loose implant: If your implant feels loose or is moving about, it is important to schedule an appointment with your periodontist as quickly as possible, as this indicates that there is something seriously wrong with your implant.
What Causes Dental Implants to Become Infected?
An infection can develop due to multiple factors, but one of the most common reasons is due to underlying health conditions, such as cancer, periodontitis, or diabetes, which all inhibit an individual’s ability to heal. During your initial evaluation, make sure you inform your periodontist of any health issues you have as well as a list of medications you are currently taking. Dental infections can also occur due to improper placement of the implant. Because of this risk, it is important that you receive care from highly qualified individual’s whom you trust.
Finally, the most common reason infections occur following placement of a dental implant is because patients fail to follow aftercare instructions and do not practice good oral hygiene habits. To prevent this from happening to you, be sure to closely adhere to the following after your dental implant procedure.
- Stick to a soft food diet
- If prescribed antibiotics, take as directed until your prescription runs out
- Reduce physical activity
- When brushing your teeth, do so gently, especially around the implant site
If you follow these and any additional instructions provided by your periodontist, your risk of developing an infection is small; however, if you feel like you are demonstrating signs of an infection, contact your periodontist as quickly as possible. The sooner an issue is treated, the better.