Reviewed by Dr. Matthew Young, DDS
Reading time: 3 minutes
Dental implants are designed to replace missing teeth and function much like natural teeth. However, there are important differences between an implant and a natural tooth, including how each can be affected by bacteria and plaque.
Can a Dental Implant Get a Cavity?
Cavities form when bacteria produce acids that break down natural tooth enamel. A dental implant does not contain enamel or any other natural tooth structure, so there is nothing for a cavity to develop in.
The implant post, abutment, and crown are all made from artificial materials that cannot decay. Plaque can still build up on these surfaces, however, and the bacteria can inflame the gums and damage the bone supporting the implant.
What Problems Can Develop Around Dental Implants?
If plaque collects around an implant, it can cause peri-implant mucositis, which may lead to red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. At this early stage, inflammation is limited to the gum tissue and has not affected the supporting bone. With professional care and improved oral hygiene, the condition may be reversed.
If the condition progresses and begins affecting the supporting bone, it is known as peri-implantitis. This can lead to bone loss around the implant and, if left untreated, may eventually affect its stability.
At Young Dental, our team can recommend home-care techniques and cleaning products to help reduce plaque buildup and inflammation around your implant.
What Are the Signs of a Problem Around a Dental Implant?
Dental implants should generally feel stable and comfortable. Changes around an implant should be evaluated, particularly if they persist or worsen.
Signs that may require attention include:
- Red or swollen gums around the implant
- Bleeding when brushing or cleaning around the implant
- Persistent tenderness or discomfort
- Gum recession around the restoration
- Pus or drainage near the implant
- A change in the way the implant restoration feels when biting
- An implant or restoration that feels loose
A loose implant requires prompt evaluation. However, sometimes the crown or another component of the restoration has loosened rather than the implant itself. A dental examination can determine the cause.
Help Your Dental Implant Stay Healthy
Daily brushing and cleaning around the implant with floss or other recommended interdental cleaners, along with regular dental visits, help maintain the surrounding tissues and allow for early signs of inflammation to be addressed.
At Young Dental, we evaluate dental implants as part of ongoing oral health care and provide recommendations based on each patient’s individual needs.
To book an appointment at our dental office in San Francisco, call (415) 392-8611. Visit us at 490 Post St STE 830, San Francisco, CA.
FAQs
Can plaque build up on a dental implant even though it cannot get a cavity?
Yes. Plaque can collect on an implant crown and around the gumline. Although it cannot cause a cavity in the implant restoration, the bacteria in plaque can irritate and inflame the surrounding gums.
Can the tooth next to a dental implant get a cavity?
Yes. Natural teeth next to an implant are still susceptible to tooth decay, which is why brushing and cleaning between the implant and neighboring teeth remain important.
Can you get a cavity underneath an implant crown?
No. Unlike a crown placed over a natural tooth, an implant crown is attached to an artificial implant rather than natural tooth structure, so a cavity cannot develop underneath it.