{"id":15029,"date":"2026-08-25T23:12:06","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/peri-implantitis-what-it-is-why-it-appears-and-how-to-prevent-it\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T23:12:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T21:12:06","slug":"peri-implantitis-what-it-is-why-it-appears-and-how-to-prevent-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/peri-implantitis-what-it-is-why-it-appears-and-how-to-prevent-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Peri-implantitis: what it is, why it appears and how to prevent it"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"15029\" class=\"elementor elementor-15029 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73aad13f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"73aad13f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f93f16f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f93f16f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You have had your implants for years and think there is nothing left to worry about. The surgery went well, osseointegration was completed without problems, and your mouth functions normally. However, there is a silent threat that can appear precisely at that moment of confidence: <strong>peri-implantitis<\/strong>. Dr. Plat\u00f3n Alomar addressed this reality at the Dental Update Conference held in Barcelona in 2014, and his conclusions remain just as relevant today as they were then.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06f7b57e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"06f7b57e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platondental.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/peri-implantitis.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Dental implant with inflamed tissue compared to a healthy implant, educational illustration in pastel red and blue tones.\" loading=\"lazy\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Peri-implantitis affects the tissues surrounding the implant, similar to periodontitis but with a faster rate of progression if left untreated.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb6cd386 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb6cd386\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is peri-implantitis?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efb72f6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"efb72f6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease of infectious origin that affects the tissues surrounding a dental implant. It shares its mechanism with periodontitis \u2014 the infection that destroys the bone around natural teeth \u2014 but has its own characteristics that make it particularly aggressive.<\/p><p>The process almost always begins as <strong>peri-implant mucositis<\/strong>: a reversible inflammation of the mucosa surrounding the implant, without bone loss. If left untreated, the bacterial biofilm advances toward the bone and triggers peri-implantitis proper, with <strong>progressive marginal bone loss<\/strong> that can compromise the stability of the implant and even lead to its loss.<\/p><p>The most common symptoms include:<\/p><ul>\n  <li>Reddened, swollen gum that bleeds on probing<\/li>\n  <li>Suppuration around the implant<\/li>\n  <li>Formation of a <strong>peri-implant pocket<\/strong> (increased probing depth)<\/li>\n  <li>Implant mobility in advanced stages<\/li>\n  <li>Pain or discomfort when chewing<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>The problem is that, in many cases, peri-implantitis progresses without noticeable pain. That is why periodic check-ups are the only way to detect it in time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dfac65d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7dfac65d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why peri-implantitis appears at 5\u20137 years<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7b4d0f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7b4d0f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of the most striking findings that Dr. Alomar presented in Barcelona is the temporal curve of the disease. The studies published at the time of the conference \u2014 including landmark papers in journals such as <em>Clinical Oral Implants Research<\/em> and <em>Journal of Clinical Periodontology<\/em> \u2014 indicate that the prevalence of this group of conditions <strong>increases notably from 5\u20137 years<\/strong> after the implants are in function, potentially affecting approximately 10\u201320% of patients and between 12% and 35% of implants, according to the systematic reviews available at that time.<\/p><p>Why that inflection point? Several reasons combine:<\/p><ul>\n  <li><strong>Biofilm accumulation<\/strong>: over time, if plaque control is not optimal, bacteria colonise the rough surface of the implant and organise into resistant communities.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Physiological bone remodelling<\/strong>: the bone around the implant undergoes minimal and natural marginal loss during the first years; when combined with infection, the damage accelerates.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Individual risk factors<\/strong>: smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, a prior history of periodontitis, or genetic predisposition act as catalysts that shorten that timeframe or worsen the progression of peri-implantitis.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Relaxation of follow-up<\/strong>: many patients \u2014 and, on occasion, clinical teams as well \u2014 reduce the frequency of check-ups once the osseointegration phase has been completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbe78bc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dbe78bc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to prevent peri-implantitis: actionable steps<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97cdf025 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"97cdf025\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platondental.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/peri-implantitis-como-prevenir-la-peri-implantitis-pasos-accionables.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"Peri-implantitis prevention steps: oral hygiene, professional cleanings, periodic check-ups and healthy habits.\" loading=\"lazy\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Preventive maintenance reduces the risk of peri-implantitis by up to 90% when started within the first 5 years after placement.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14ea40fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14ea40fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The good news is that peri-implantitis is, to a large extent, preventable. Dr. Alomar emphasised that preventive strategies must be applied <strong>throughout all phases of treatment and maintenance<\/strong>, involving the entire dental clinic team. This is not rhetoric: it implies specific protocols for both the patient and the professionals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aded8319 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aded8319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For the patient<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff1df0fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff1df0fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n  <li>Correct brushing twice a day with a small-headed or electric toothbrush, paying special attention to the gum line around the implant.<\/li>\n  <li>Daily use of <strong>interdental brushes<\/strong> of the appropriate size to clean the spaces between the implant and adjacent teeth.<\/li>\n  <li>Dental floss or oral irrigator to remove biofilm in hard-to-reach areas.<\/li>\n  <li>Attending <strong>periodontal maintenance check-ups<\/strong> at the frequency indicated by the clinical team (generally every 3\u20136 months for at-risk patients), as these are the main tool for preventing peri-implantitis.<\/li>\n  <li>Informing the dentist at any warning sign: bleeding, inflammation, or a feeling of pressure around the implant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ee2a60e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ee2a60e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For the clinical team<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74123d0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74123d0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n  <li>Periodontal risk assessment before placing the implant and design of an individualised maintenance plan.<\/li>\n  <li>Peri-implant probing and periodic radiographic records to detect marginal bone loss in early stages.<\/li>\n  <li>Professional decontamination of the implant surface when mucositis is detected, before it progresses to peri-implantitis.<\/li>\n  <li>Coordination between the implant surgeon, the periodontist, and the dental hygienist to ensure continuity of follow-up.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Scientific societies such as SEPA (Spanish Society of <a title=\"periodontics\" href=\"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/treatments\/periodontics\/\">Periodontics<\/a> and Osseointegration) have published consensus guidelines covering these protocols, which can serve as a reference for both professionals and patients who wish to explore the topic further.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02b96eb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"02b96eb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A final reflection<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cccce238 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cccce238\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Peri-implantitis is not a rare complication or a failure of the implant itself: it is, in most cases, the consequence of an infection that was not detected in time. The data presented by Dr. Alomar in Barcelona 2014 made clear that <strong>the long-term success of an implant depends as much on the surgical procedure as on subsequent maintenance<\/strong>. Understanding the disease, recognising its signs, and maintaining regular follow-up are the three keys that make the difference between an implant that lasts for decades and one that is lost prematurely.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what peri-implantitis is, why it tends to appear 5-7 years after implant placement, and what steps patients and clinicians can take to prevent it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15018,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categoria"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platondental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}