Dental implants: Maintenance, care and treatment of peri-implant infection.

Dental implants: Maintenance, care and treatment of peri-implant infection.
2003
S Chen and I Darby
Australian Dental Journal 2003;48:(4):212-220
Please visit the web site to view the article in its entirety.
Abstract
Osseointegration is becoming increasingly routine in the rehabilitation of partially or fully edentulous patients. However, the surrounding tissues may be subject to inflammatory conditions similar to periodontal disease and so require maintenance. This article discusses the background, aetiology, diagnosis of peri-implant diseases, and the maintenance, care and treatment of peri-implant infection in osseointegrated implants. Three case studies are presented to illustrate points in the care of implants.
INTRODUCTION
The provision of implant retained prostheses is becoming more and more common. In the last 30 years over 700 000 patients have been treated using the Br?īnemark system alone (Nobel Biocare, personal communication, 2003). The high survival rate of osseointegrated dental implants is well documented, but it is becoming increasingly clear that successfully
integrated implants are susceptible to disease conditions that may lead to the loss of the implant.1 Although placement and restoration are usually the field of the periodontal, oral and maxillofacial surgery or prosthetic specialist, given the increasing numbers of patients treated with osseointegrated fixtures it is increasingly likely that maintenance of these implants
will become much more common by the general dentist. The aim of this paper is to discuss the background to implant failure, types of implantassociated diseases, diagnosis, maintenance and treatment of osseointegrated fixtures.
REFERENCES
1. Tonetti M. Risk factors for osseodisintegration. Periodontol 2000 1998;17:55-62.
2. American Academy of Periodontology. Parameter on placement and management of the dental implant. J Periodontol
2000;71:870-872.