Understanding peri-implantitis: a strategic review

The high survival rate of osseointegrated dental implants is well documented, but it is becoming increasingly clear that successfully integrated implants are susceptible to disease conditions that may lead to loss of the implant. Although placement and restoration usually are included in the domain of the periodontal, oral and maxillofacial surgery, or prosthetic specialist, given the increasing numbers of patients treated with osseointegrated fixtures, it is increasingly likely that maintenance of these implants by the general dentist will become much more common. However, the surrounding tissues may be subject to inflammatory conditions similar to periodontal disease and so require maintenance. This article discusses the background, cause, and diagnosis of peri-implant disease, as well as the maintenance, care, and treatment of peri-implant infection in osseointegrated implants.