False Creek Pure Dental / Caring for existing implants
Peri-implantitis Treatment & Care
Bleeding or tenderness around an implant can be worrying, especially after the time and care you put into replacing a tooth. An assessment can help explain what is happening and what can be done next.
Two conditions that sound similar
Peri-implant mucositis is inflammation in the soft tissue around an implant without the bone loss that defines peri-implantitis. Early mucositis can often be brought under control with appropriate care.
Peri-implantitis involves inflammation and loss of supporting bone. The amount and pattern of bone loss, the implant’s position, and the restoration affect the treatment choices. Symptoms alone cannot tell you which condition is present.
- Bleeding when brushing or cleaning around the implant
- Redness, tenderness, swelling, or discharge
- A change in the gumline, a persistent unpleasant taste, or an implant restoration that feels loose
- First step
- Assess gums, bone levels, and stability
- Treatment
- Depends on the cause and extent
- Ongoing care
- An essential part of the plan
What is on your mind?
Comfort
Tell us about tenderness and previous implant treatment. Comfort measures depend on the cleaning or procedure recommended, and should be discussed before care begins.
Time & visits
Care may involve assessment, initial treatment, reassessment, and further procedures if needed. Ongoing maintenance remains important. Ask when the response will be checked and which decisions come after that review.
Costs & coverage
Our fees follow the BC Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide. Dr. Xu needs to assess the implant and surrounding tissues before recommending care. Your quote reflects the treatment needed; insurance benefits depend on your dental plan. Call 604-877-1712 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Xu for an assessment and a personalized treatment quote.
Understanding the problem before treating it
We assess the implant and its restoration as well as the surrounding tissue. A loose crown connection and an implant that has lost support are different problems and need different care.
01 / Review the history
Tell us when the implant was placed, what has changed, and any treatment you have already had. We also review health and smoking history.
02 / Examine and measure
We assess inflammation, cleaning access, the restoration, and implant stability. Imaging may be needed to evaluate the supporting bone.
03 / Discuss a treatment plan
Care may begin with professional cleaning, home-care changes, and management of contributing factors. More advanced disease may need surgery or referral.
04 / Reassess and maintain
Follow-up checks show how the tissues respond. The maintenance plan is adjusted to the findings rather than ending after one procedure.
A laser may be considered as an adjunct in selected cases. It is not a guaranteed cure and does not replace assessment, appropriate cleaning, surgery when indicated, or ongoing maintenance.
What treatment can and cannot promise
Some cases need access to the implant surface through surgery. Depending on the defect and other findings, additional procedures may be considered. Not every area of lost bone can be rebuilt, and not every implant can be saved.
Your plan should include how to clean around the restoration, when to return, and what changes to report. A history of gum disease, smoking, and diabetes can be relevant to risk and planning.
When keeping it is not predictable
If support is severely compromised or the implant cannot be cleaned or restored appropriately, removal and replacement options may need to be discussed.
Who provides the care
Dr. Xu is a general dentist. If the findings call for specialist assessment, referral may be recommended. Treatment should match the complexity of the problem.
When to get help
Contact us promptly about discharge, increasing swelling, persistent bleeding, or a loose implant restoration. Trouble breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading facial swelling, needs emergency medical care; call 911.
Questions we often hear
Does bleeding mean the implant is failing?
Not necessarily, but it should be assessed. Bleeding can indicate inflammation; examination and, where needed, imaging help determine whether bone support is affected.
Can mouthwash fix it?
A rinse alone cannot assess or resolve all the causes of disease around an implant. It may be recommended for a particular purpose, but it does not replace professional assessment or treatment.
Can it happen without pain?
Yes. Lack of pain does not prove the supporting tissues are healthy. That is one reason routine implant checks remain important.
Will I need surgery?
That depends on the diagnosis, response to initial care, and extent of bone loss. Peri-implantitis may require surgery. We will explain the options and whether referral is appropriate.
How do I get a quote for implant care?
Our fees follow the BC Dental Association’s Suggested Fee Guide. Dr. Xu needs to assess the implant and surrounding tissues before recommending care. Your quote reflects the treatment needed; insurance benefits depend on your dental plan. Call 604-877-1712 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Xu for an assessment and a personalized treatment quote.
