Stage 1 — Reversible Mucositis
Mucositis is the implant equivalent of gingivitis around a tooth. The aetiology of this inflammatory condition is inadequate oral hygiene, combined with the nature of the biomaterials in contact with the gum. Just as periodontitis follows uncontrolled gingivitis, peri-implantitis occurs when mucositis is left unchecked.
Mucositis, affecting nearly 50 % of implants, represents the first warning sign before an inflammatory reaction of the entire peri-implant tissues.
Clinical features
- Bleeding on probing
- Gum inflammation and swelling
- No radiographic bone loss
Peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis is the implant equivalent of periodontal disease on natural teeth: an aggressive inflammatory and infectious condition that causes progressive loss of the implant's supporting tissues.
Clinical features
- Probing depth ≥ 5 mm
- Bleeding and/or suppuration on probing
- Bone loss ≥ 2 mm
Loss of osseointegration
Loss of osseointegration marks the final stage of implant complications: mobility and pain make implant removal unavoidable, equivalent to the extraction of a natural tooth affected by severe periodontitis.
Clinical features
- Implant mobility
- Pain
- Late-stage of bone loss
