This clinic
01Point Cook
Address220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone(03) 8338 1515
HoursMon–Sat 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Implant gum and bone health at 220 Point Cook Road
Peri-implantitis care in Point Cook: protecting the gum and bone around your implant.
Peri-implantitis is inflammation that damages the gum and bone holding a dental implant in place. It usually starts quietly, with plaque at the gum line. The early, gum-only stage is generally considered reversible, so if your implant gum bleeds, swells or tastes unpleasant, book a check with our Point Cook team.
Inflammation can spread from the gum line to the bone
The short answer
Implants can't decay, but their foundations can still get sick.
A titanium implant can't get a cavity. The gum sealed around it and the bone it sits in are living tissue, though, and they react to plaque bacteria much as they do around natural teeth.
It happens in two stages. First the gum alone becomes inflamed; dentists call this peri-implant mucositis. Left alone, the inflammation can travel deeper and start breaking down the bone that anchors the implant. That second stage is peri-implantitis, and bone lost this way does not simply grow back.
The tricky part is that it rarely hurts. Look out for gum that bleeds when you brush or floss, redness or puffiness, pus or a bad taste, gum shrinking back to show the metal, or a crown that suddenly feels different when you bite. Any one of these deserves a proper look, even if it seems minor.
What happens at an implant check
Different implants, different weak spots.
At a review the dentist looks at the gum around each implant, checks for bleeding, gently measures the gum pocket and may recommend an X-ray to see the bone. Where plaque tends to hide depends on what the implant is holding.
A single implant crown
- —The gum margin around the crown is checked for bleeding, swelling and deepening pockets.
- —The crown itself is checked for movement, chips or gaps that trap food.
- —You'll see the easiest angle for cleaning where the crown meets the gum.
Several implants or an implant bridge
- —Each implant is assessed separately, since one can change while the others stay healthy.
- —The underside of a bridge is a common plaque trap and gets extra attention.
- —Floss threaders or small interdental brushes may be suggested for reaching under the span.
A fixed full-arch (All-on-X) bridge
- —Plaque can collect out of sight beneath a full-arch bridge, right where it meets the gum.
- —A water flosser, a single-tuft brush or implant floss may be recommended for underneath.
- —At some maintenance visits the dentist may take the bridge off so every implant can be cleaned.
Bleeding, swelling or a bad taste can come from other problems too. Only an examination can tell what is really happening.
Deeper disease affects the bone that anchors the implant
If peri-implantitis is found
Treatment is matched to how far it has progressed.
For gum-only inflammation, care is usually a thorough professional clean around the implant, a refreshed home-cleaning routine and a follow-up visit to confirm the bleeding has settled.
Once bone is involved, the implant surface may need deeper cleaning, sometimes with antiseptic rinses or antibiotics. More advanced cases can need minor gum surgery to reach and clean the implant, occasionally with a bone graft. If too much support has already been lost, taking the implant out may be one of the options discussed.
Laser dentistry is one of the tools used to clean around implants. Our peri-implantitis laser page explains where it can fit in.
Before anything goes ahead, your dentist explains what they found, the choices that suit it and the risks of each one.
Looking after it at home
Small daily habits that protect an implant.
Most peri-implantitis begins with plaque, so everyday cleaning does much of the protective work. Smoking, diabetes that isn't well controlled and a past history of gum disease all raise the risk, so mention any of them at your review.
1
Clean the gum line twice a day
Angle a soft brush towards the gum around the implant, then clean between teeth once a day with the interdental brush or floss your dentist suggests.
2
Keep up your maintenance visits
Regular professional cleans and checks catch small changes early. Your dentist will suggest how often based on your gums and the kind of restoration you have.
3
Book in when something changes
Bleeding, swelling, a bad taste or a crown that feels loose are reasons to call rather than wait for your next check-up.
Your dentist can tailor these tips to your implant, your restoration and your gums.
Fees and payment
What does peri-implantitis care cost?
It depends on what the check finds. A professional clean for early gum inflammation is a much smaller job than surgical treatment, so ask for a written estimate once your implant has been examined.
Point Cook patients can claim eligible health fund extras on the spot with HICAPS, or spread costs with Afterpay, Zip Pay, Humm or SuperCare. Each provider sets its own fees, eligibility and approval rules.
Want a feel for repayments on a sample amount? Try the repayment estimator →
The estimator shows an example only. It is not a quote, a lending offer or a credit decision.
We accept
Peri-implantitis questions
Your questions about implant gum health.
Peri-implantitis is inflammation around a dental implant that has started to damage the supporting bone. It usually begins with plaque bacteria at the gum line and, if untreated, can loosen the implant.
Mucositis affects only the gum around an implant and is generally considered reversible. Peri-implantitis also involves bone loss. A dentist tells them apart by examining the gum and often taking an X-ray.
Watch for bleeding when you brush or floss, red or swollen gum, pus, a bad taste, gum shrinking back from the implant, or a crown that feels loose. It often doesn't hurt, which is why regular checks matter.
Yes. Treatment depends on severity and ranges from a professional clean and better home care to deeper cleaning, medication or gum surgery. Your dentist explains the options and risks for your implant.
Magical Smiles Point Cook is at 220 Point Cook Road, Point Cook VIC 3030, open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Call (03) 8338 1515 or book online.
Noticed a change?
Bleeding around an implant? Let's check it.
A visit to our Point Cook clinic can show whether it's simple gum irritation, peri-implantitis or something else, and what the next step should be.
Caring for fixed full-arch teeth? Our All-on-X implant dentures page covers how they are cleaned and reviewed. If a graft is part of your treatment, see bone grafting, or compare every option on the dental implants overview.