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I Had Three Dental Implants. The First Became Very Infected
Question: I had three dental implants. The first became very infected and I had it removed. The second one (adjacent) also did not integrate into the bone and so I had it removed. The third seems to have integrated well enough. The issue is that I have had serious infection from the first implant (and likely the second). Now, I am on antibiotics for the 3rd or 4th time and it seems like the infection is not going away.
Brief Answer:
Treatment of infected dental implants consists of several steps- further explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
There is not much information in your case related to the antibiotics you have used and other treatments that the doctor may have already tried.
There are several things to consider when it comes to dental implants being infected. A good physical examination, and in some cases, an x-ray is needed to determine the best treatment.
Local treatment with plaque and stone removal and chemical plaque control with 0.12% chlorhexidine can be the first step. These are needed if there is inflammation of the mucosa (gums). Good mouth hygiene and chlorhexidine mouthwash are recommended as well.
If a more severe infection is present, implant surface decontamination and local tetracycline fibers are used. In some cases, oral antibiotics such as metronidazole and amoxicillin are needed.
Rarely, if the infection is not under control with the above measures, surgical debridement may be needed. This means your dental surgeon may need to surgically remove dead tissues around the implant to assist the healing process. if nothing is working to control the infection, the implant is removed.
In your case, it would be helpful to know:
- which treatments you have already tried (local and oral treatments),
- if you had any dental x-rays done and how were the results and
- if the persisting infection is in the area you actually have the implant or in the areas that the implant failed.
I hope this gives some answers to your query. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Treatment of infected dental implants consists of several steps- further explained below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
There is not much information in your case related to the antibiotics you have used and other treatments that the doctor may have already tried.
There are several things to consider when it comes to dental implants being infected. A good physical examination, and in some cases, an x-ray is needed to determine the best treatment.
Local treatment with plaque and stone removal and chemical plaque control with 0.12% chlorhexidine can be the first step. These are needed if there is inflammation of the mucosa (gums). Good mouth hygiene and chlorhexidine mouthwash are recommended as well.
If a more severe infection is present, implant surface decontamination and local tetracycline fibers are used. In some cases, oral antibiotics such as metronidazole and amoxicillin are needed.
Rarely, if the infection is not under control with the above measures, surgical debridement may be needed. This means your dental surgeon may need to surgically remove dead tissues around the implant to assist the healing process. if nothing is working to control the infection, the implant is removed.
In your case, it would be helpful to know:
- which treatments you have already tried (local and oral treatments),
- if you had any dental x-rays done and how were the results and
- if the persisting infection is in the area you actually have the implant or in the areas that the implant failed.
I hope this gives some answers to your query. I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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