It is not always necessary or appropriate to take antibiotics after oral surgery. A short course of antibiotics is usually indicated after implant placement or procedures associated with implant placement (sinus lift or bone grafting).
Infection risk is moderate to high risk, which includes multiple implants with extensive soft-tissue reflection or immediate implant placements along with bone grafting and membrane. Use a preoperative loading dose of antibiotics followed by three postsurgical doses for a day to be continued for three days.
The good news is that the risk of infection after dental implant surgery is relatively low, and even treating infection can be easy if a patient sees a dentist after developing warning signs. Symptoms of infection include the following: Red or swollen gums at the site of the implant. Loose or wobbly implants.
If the bacteria get the upper hand on the implant surface, the implant is prone to infection, with potentially serious consequences for the patient's health. Infected implants are usually treated with antibiotics.
To reduce the chance of infection, many dental providers prescribe amoxicillin—an antibiotic in the penicillin family—prior to and following implant surgery. If a patient reports an allergy to penicillin, alternative antibiotics can be prescribed.
Features of an infected dental implant are similar to those of gum disease and can include one or more of the following symptoms: Loose or wobbly implant. Red or puffy gums around the implant. Icky taste.
Regular rinsing is one of the most important aspects of healing dental implants. Rinsing helps to control the accumulation of bacteria, subsequently reducing the risk of infection. Patients must rinse the mouth once or twice a day with a dentist-approved mouthwash or a saltwater solution.
Dental implants can become infected. This infection is called peri-implantitis. The first step is usually when there's inflammation in the gums which then results in bone loss and the teeth (or tooth) becoming infected.
Infection can lead to swelling, pain, development of pus, fever, as well as 'dry socket' (where the tooth socket is not filled by a blood clot, and there is severe pain and bad odour).
After 2 weeks, most patients are fully recovered. The implant site may feel slightly tender to the touch, but should feel completely healed and normal. The implant will continue to heal and bond with the jaw bone over the following 3-6 months, but the initial healing process will be over.
About 2 weeks after surgery, your implant should be completely healed. You should feel little-to-no tenderness near the implant, and no pain or discomfort, and it will be time to get your stitches out, or they will dissolve on their own if self-dissolving stitches are used.
Some signs of allergic reactions include loss of taste, swelling around the gums, and a tingling sensation. Sudden allergic reactions are a sign of dental implant failure because they indicate that your body is rejecting the implant.
Mature bone growth – Depending on your case, it may take up to 3-6 months for your new, immature bone tissue to undergo the “bone remodeling” process, in which it's replaced with durable, strong, and mature bone tissue.
Diagnosing an Infected Dental Implant
One of the first things Dr. Kong will do is to take a dental x-ray of the infected dental implant to see if there's any radiographic bone loss. He may also gently probe around the implant to assess the degree of the infection and inflammation.
Infection may also occur if implants are not adequately spaced, leaving a gap between the implant and the bone. This can become a fertile breeding ground for germs. Low-quality implants can also leave a space between the implant and the jawbone, attracting bacteria.
In most cases, peri-implant mucositis is highly treatable and reversible. That is why you should see your dentist as soon as possible if you notice that the gums around an implant are red, bleeding, or swollen.
Rinse with salt water
A salt water rinse always provides benefits to the entire mouth as a whole, but especially after a dental implant surgery is done. Rinse 2-3 times a day after the procedure, this will reduce the chance of infection while also cleansing the entire mouth.
Most patients begin to experience significant improvements in their gums within a week of surgery, and their gums will be completely healed within 2 weeks of their treatment.
Antiseptic treatment
For the best results, the patient should use chlorhexidine as a daily rinse or as a gel, for 3-4 weeks. It is shown to significantly improve the mucosal condition in bleeding on probing and on probing pocket depth. A laser beam can also be used to disinfect the area.
The early rejection occurs within the first three to four months after the implant before the jaw bone is completely healed.
In most cases, the discomfort will peak within about 3-5 days after your treatment, and then begin to subside relatively quickly. By the end of your first week post-surgery, you should be feeling little, if any, discomfort and pain.