Peri-Implantitis Treatment in Marysville, WA: Protecting Your Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to last for many years, but they still need healthy gums and bone around them. When the tissues that support an implant become infected or inflamed, a condition called peri-implantitis can develop. If you already have implants—or are planning them in Marysville or elsewhere in Snohomish County—understanding this problem early can help you protect your investment and your smile.

What Is Peri-Implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone around a dental implant. It is similar to periodontitis (gum disease around natural teeth), but it involves the soft tissue and bone that hold the implant in place. Early inflammation of the gum around an implant is sometimes called peri-implant mucositis. When the infection progresses and bone begins to break down, it is called peri-implantitis.

Left untreated, peri-implantitis can loosen the implant, make chewing uncomfortable, and eventually lead to implant failure. The good news is that with prompt evaluation by a periodontist, many cases can be managed before major bone loss occurs.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors raise the chance of peri-implantitis. Poor daily cleaning around the implant allows bacterial plaque to build up. A history of gum disease increases risk, as does smoking or vaping. Uncontrolled diabetes, teeth grinding, and a heavy bite on the implant can also stress the supporting tissues. In some cases, excess cement left after a crown is placed, or a poorly fitting restoration that traps food, contributes to chronic inflammation.

Patients who skip regular periodontal maintenance visits after implant placement are more likely to miss early warning signs. That is why ongoing care at a periodontal practice such as Ben Choi Periodontics & Implants in Marysville is an important part of long-term implant success.

Warning Signs Marysville Patients Should Not Ignore

Call for an evaluation if you notice any of the following around an implant:

• Red, swollen, or tender gums next to the implant

• Bleeding when you brush or floss around the implant

• Bad taste or odor that returns even after cleaning

• Pus or drainage near the implant

• A feeling that the implant or crown is loose

• Pain when chewing or biting on that side

• Gums that seem to be pulling away from the implant

Some people have little discomfort even as bone loss progresses, so routine exams and X-rays remain essential even when everything “feels fine.”

How Peri-Implantitis Is Diagnosed

Dr. Ben Choi, DMD, MSD, a periodontist at Ben Choi Periodontics & Implants, evaluates the gums around each implant, measures pocket depths, checks for bleeding or mobility, and reviews current radiographs to see whether bone levels have changed since placement. Comparing today’s images with earlier ones helps distinguish stable implants from those that need treatment.

A clear diagnosis guides the next step—whether that is a focused cleaning, a change in home-care tools, non-surgical therapy, or surgical treatment to clean the implant surface and rebuild lost support when appropriate.

Treatment Options for Peri-Implantitis

Treatment depends on how advanced the disease is. Mild inflammation may respond to professional cleaning around the implant, improved home care (including special floss, brushes, or water flossers), and more frequent maintenance visits. Deeper infections often need mechanical cleaning of the implant surface under local anesthesia, sometimes with antimicrobial rinses or locally delivered medications.

When bone loss is significant, surgical access may be needed so the periodontist can thoroughly decontaminate the implant threads. In selected cases, bone grafting or regenerative procedures can help stabilize or rebuild support. If an implant cannot be saved, careful removal and planning for replacement after healing may be the healthiest long-term choice.

Every plan is individualized. The goal is to stop the infection, protect remaining bone, and keep your bite comfortable and functional.

How to Lower Your Risk After Implant Placement

Daily plaque control around implants is just as important as it is around natural teeth. Brush twice a day, clean between implants and neighboring teeth, and keep scheduled periodontal maintenance visits. If you smoke, quitting is one of the most effective steps you can take for implant longevity. Managing diabetes and addressing night-time grinding with a night guard when recommended also help.

Patients throughout Marysville, Lake Stevens, Arlington, Everett, and the broader Snohomish County area who already have implants benefit from a relationship with a periodontist who can monitor soft tissue and bone over time—not only at the moment of placement.

Schedule a Peri-Implant Evaluation in Marysville

If your gums around an implant look red, bleed, or feel different than they used to, do not wait for the problem to worsen. Dr. Ben Choi, DMD, MSD provides periodontal and implant care at Ben Choi Periodontics & Implants, located at 1533 Grove St, Marysville, WA 98270. Call 360-386-5055 or visit www.benchoiperio.com to request a consultation. Early attention gives you the best chance of keeping your dental implants healthy for years to come.