If you have a dental implant — or you’re thinking about getting one — you’ve probably heard that implants are a long-lasting way to replace a missing tooth. That’s true. But like natural teeth, implants need care. Sometimes the tissues around an implant can become inflamed, a condition called peri-implantitis. Left alone, it can damage the bone that holds the implant in place.
The good news: researchers are studying better ways to treat it. A 2025 systematic review looked at surgical approaches for peri-implantitis — and its findings can help Folsom dental implant patients understand what modern treatment looks like.
What Is Peri-Implantitis?
Think of it as gum disease, but around an implant instead of a natural tooth. Bacteria build up along the implant surface, triggering inflammation. Early on, only the soft gum tissue is affected (this stage is called peri-implant mucositis). If it progresses, the bone around the implant starts to break down — that’s peri-implantitis.
Warning signs include:
- Bleeding when you brush around the implant
- Swollen or tender gums near the implant
- A bad taste or odor that won’t go away
- The implant feeling loose (a late sign — don’t wait for this)
What the 2025 Review Examined
The review, published in the Journal of Functional Biomaterials, analyzed studies of surgical peri-implantitis treatment. Surgery becomes necessary when non-surgical cleaning (like deep cleaning around the implant) isn’t enough to stop bone loss.
Researchers compared approaches including:
- Access flap surgery — the gum is gently lifted so the implant surface can be thoroughly cleaned
- Regenerative techniques — bone graft materials and membranes used to rebuild lost bone around the implant
- Resective approaches — reshaping tissue and bone to eliminate deep pockets where bacteria hide
- Implant surface decontamination — methods to remove bacterial biofilm from the implant’s textured surface
Key Takeaways for Patients
1. Early treatment works better. The review reinforced that catching peri-implantitis early — before major bone loss — leads to far better outcomes. This is why regular implant checkups matter so much.
2. There’s no single “best” surgery. The right approach depends on the shape of the bone defect, the implant’s position, and your overall health. An experienced clinician tailors the plan to your situation.
3. Cleaning the implant surface is critical. Implants have textured surfaces that help bone grip them — but those same textures give bacteria places to hide. Effective decontamination during surgery was a consistent factor in successful outcomes.
4. Maintenance never stops. Even after successful surgical treatment, ongoing professional maintenance and excellent home care are essential to keep peri-implantitis from returning.
Can Peri-Implantitis Be Prevented?
In many cases, yes — or at least caught very early. The essentials:
- Brush twice daily and clean around your implant carefully
- Use the interdental brushes or water flosser your dentist recommends
- Don’t smoke — smoking dramatically raises peri-implantitis risk
- Keep your regular dental visits, including implant-specific maintenance
- Manage conditions like diabetes, which affect healing and infection risk
The Bottom Line
Peri-implantitis sounds scary, but it’s a treatable condition — especially when caught early. The 2025 review confirms that modern surgical techniques, in skilled hands, can resolve the infection and in many cases rebuild lost bone. The most important thing you can do is stay on top of your implant maintenance visits so problems get spotted when they’re small.
Expert Dental Group is a prosthodontic practice in Roseville, CA, serving Folsom and the surrounding communities. Visit us at 5070 Foothills Blvd, Suite 2, Roseville, CA 95747, call (916) 888-1646, or find us online. We’re open Monday–Friday 9–6 and Saturday 9–1.
References
Cho Y, et al. Surgical Treatment of Peri-Implantitis: A Systematic Review. J Funct Biomater. 2025. PMID: 40710476.