Peri-implantitis (synonyms: peri-implant ostitis; ICD-10 K10.9: disease of the jaws, unspecified) is a progressive inflammation of the bony bearing of a dental implant with peri-implant bone loss. Reversible inflammation of only the soft tissue is peri-implant mucositis (inflammation of the mucosa).
The disease is caused by mixed anaerobic germs. Periodontopathogenic germs (germs that cause disease of the periodontium) can be transferred from remaining teeth to implants. Periodontopathogenic germs also persist in edentulous patients.
The pathogen reservoir is the oral germ flora (germ flora of the mouth).
The pathogen enters via the peri-implant soft tissue.
Sex ratio: Men are more frequently affected than women. Conceivable reasons in this context would be different cleaning behavior.
Frequency peak: Patients of higher age are more frequently affected by peri-implantitis. Here, too, a connection to the feasibility of implementing oral hygiene guidelines is conceivable.
The prevalence (disease frequency) is estimated to be between 6 and 43% of implants.
Course and prognosis: Peri-implantitis is preceded by inflammation of the mucosa surrounding the implant neck. This peri-implant mucositis is considered reversible. With continued exposure to irritation, biofilm (plaque, bacterial plaque) is deposited on the implant surfaces, progressive inflammation of the surrounding bone and osteolysis (bone loss; bone dissolution) occurs. In extreme cases, implant loss may be the result.
Comorbidities (concomitant diseases): smokers (10 or more cigarettes consumed daily) have a higher rate of implant loss than nonsmokers.
