You have dental implant/s. They have been fine for months or years. But lately, something feels off. Your gum bleeds when you clean around one implant. There is a strange taste in your mouth. Or maybe just a dull ache that comes and goes. These could be early signs of peri-implantitis. That is an infection around the implant that can lead to bone loss and implant failure if ignored. This guide explains what peri-implantitis feels like at each stage, from early warning signs to advanced symptoms.
At a Glance: Know the Warning Signs
Peri-implantitis starts silently. Early signs are mild: bleeding when brushing, occasional bad breath, slight redness around the gum. As it progresses, you may notice: a dull ache in your jaw, bad taste, gum recession exposing metal threads, and eventually a loose implant. The key is catching it early – when a simple deep clean can save your implant. Advanced peri-implantitis requires surgery or implant removal. Do not ignore bleeding gums around your implant.
What Does Early Peri-Implantitis Feel Like?
In the early stage (mucositis – inflammation of the gum only, no bone loss yet), you may experience:
Bleeding when you brush or floss around the implant. This is the earliest and most common sign. Healthy gums do not bleed. If your implant site bleeds, something is wrong.
Slight redness or swelling. The gum around the implant may look pinker or redder than the surrounding gums. It may look slightly puffy or raised.
No pain or very mild tenderness. Early peri-implantitis is often painless. You may feel nothing at all, which makes it dangerous. Do not wait for pain to see a dentist.
Bad breath that returns quickly after brushing. Bacteria around the implant produce sulphur compounds – the same smell as rotten eggs. If your breath does not stay fresh after cleaning, bacteria are hiding somewhere.
Nothing at all (silent). Many patients have no symptoms in the early stage. Your dentist or hygienist detects it through probing (measuring pocket depths) and X-rays.
What to do: See your dentist or hygienist for an implant assessment. Early mucositis is reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.
What Does Moderate Peri-Implantitis Feel Like?
At this stage, bone loss has started. Symptoms become more noticeable:
A dull, persistent ache in your jaw near the implant. Not sharp pain – more like a deep, boring ache. Worse when you press on the gum or chew slightly. Better when you rest your jaw.
Pus or discharge when you press on the gum. You may notice a white or yellowish fluid oozing from the gum line. Sometimes tastes salty or metallic.
Bad taste in your mouth (not just bad breath). A persistent sour, metallic, or salty taste that does not go away after brushing. This usually means active infection.
Gum recession – the gum is pulling away. You may see the metal implant threads becoming visible. The crown looks longer than before. This is not cosmetic – it is bone loss.
Your hygienist measures deeper pockets. At your check-up, the probe goes to 5mm or 6mm (healthy is 2-3mm). Bleeding when probed is almost always present.
Pain when biting down on something hard. The implant may be slightly uncomfortable when you bite on a bread crust or nut. Not agonising – just “not right”.
What to do: See an implant dentist promptly. Moderate peri-implantitis may be treated with deep cleaning (debridement) and antibiotics. Some cases need minor surgery to clean the implant surface.
What Does Advanced Peri-Implantitis Feel Like?
At this stage, significant bone loss has occurred. Symptoms are hard to ignore:
The implant feels loose or wobbly. This is the most alarming sign. Push the crown with your finger. If it moves at all – even slightly – the implant is failing. See a dentist immediately.
Sharp pain when chewing. Unlike the dull ache of moderate disease, advanced peri-implantitis causes sharp, localised pain when you apply pressure.
Visible gum recession exposing most of the implant threads. The implant looks like a metal post sticking out of the gum. The crown may appear unnaturally long.
Pus is obvious and persistent. You may be able to squeeze pus from the gum line with finger pressure.
Swelling in your cheek or jaw. The infection has spread beyond the gum tissue. You may feel a lump or generalised swelling near the implant site.
Fever (rare – indicates serious infection). If you have a temperature over 38°C / 100.4°F along with local symptoms, see a GP or A&E.
What to do: See an implant dentist urgently – within days, not weeks. Advanced peri-implantitis may require flap surgery, bone grafting, or implant removal. The sooner you act, the better the chance of saving the implant.
What Does Peri-Implantitis NOT Feel Like?
To help you distinguish implant problems from other issues:
Not usually a sharp, shooting pain. That suggests nerve irritation from the adjacent tooth, not the implant itself.
Not typically sensitive to hot or cold. Implants have no nerve. Temperature sensitivity comes from natural teeth nearby.
Not a clicking or popping sensation. That suggests a loose crown or abutment screw, not bone infection.
Not pain that throbs constantly. That is more typical of an abscess on a natural tooth.
If you have these other symptoms, you may have a different problem – but see a dentist anyway.
When Should You See a Dentist?
Do not wait for your next routine appointment if you experience any of these:
- Bleeding when brushing around the implant (healthy gums do not bleed)
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Red, swollen, or tender gums around the implant
- Pus or discharge
- Gum recession exposing metal threads
- A dull ache in your jaw near the implant
- The implant feels loose (see a dentist immediately)
What to expect at your appointment: Your dentist will probe around the implant (measure pocket depths), check for bleeding and mobility, and take X-rays to measure bone levels. These tests will confirm or rule out peri-implantitis.
Can you treat it yourself? No. Improved home cleaning (water flosser, super floss) can help prevent peri-implantitis, but once infection is established, you need professional treatment. You cannot remove tartar from under the gum line yourself. Do not delay.
If Your Implant Was Placed in Turkey
Peri-implantitis does not care where your implant was placed. The symptoms are identical. Your UK dentist can diagnose and often treat peri-implantitis on Turkish implants.
What you need: Your implant passport (brand and model) helps your UK dentist understand your implant system. Without it, they can still diagnose and treat, but may need extra X-rays.
What they can do: Probe, X-ray, diagnose, deep clean with plastic instruments, prescribe antibiotics. Some UK dentists will perform flap surgery on Turkish implants. Others may refer you back to Turkey for surgery – ask before committing.
Do not let fear of cost delay treatment. Treating early peri-implantitis costs £200-500. Treating advanced peri-implantitis costs £2,000-10,000 and may still lose the implant. Act early.
Simple Summary: What to Watch For
Stage 1 (Mucositis – reversible): Bleeding gums, redness, no pain. See hygienist.
Stage 2 (Early peri-implantitis – bone loss started): Dull ache, bad breath, deeper pockets. See implant dentist.
Stage 3 (Moderate peri-implantitis): Pus, gum recession, pain when biting. See implant dentist urgently.
Stage 4 (Advanced – implant at risk): Loose implant, visible threads, swelling. Emergency dental appointment.
Remember: Peri-implantitis can be silent. Regular check-ups with X-rays (every 1-2 years) are the only way to catch it before you feel anything. Do not skip your maintenance appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have peri-implantitis without pain?
Yes. Early and even moderate peri-implantitis is often painless. The first sign is usually bleeding when you brush or floss around the implant. Your dentist may detect it through probing (deep pockets) or X-rays (bone loss) before you feel anything. Do not wait for pain to see a dentist – by the time peri-implantitis hurts, significant bone loss has often occurred. Regular check-ups every 6-12 months are essential for painless detection.
What is the difference between mucositis and peri-implantitis?
Mucositis is inflammation of the gum tissue only – no bone loss. The gum bleeds and may be red or swollen. Mucositis is reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Peri-implantitis is inflammation plus bone loss around the implant. It is more serious and may not be fully reversible. Your dentist distinguishes between them by measuring pocket depths (probing) and taking X-rays to check bone levels.
Can a loose implant be fixed without removal?
It depends on the cause. If the implant screw is loose but the bone is healthy, a dentist can often tighten the screw. If the implant itself is loose because of bone loss (aka peri-implantitis), it may be too late to save it. However, some cases can be treated with flap surgery and bone grafting. See an implant dentist urgently for an assessment. Do not wait – a loose implant that is left untreated will eventually fail completely.
How quickly does peri-implantitis progress?
Progression varies by patient. In smokers or uncontrolled diabetics, bone loss can be 1-2mm per year – enough to cause failure within 2-5 years. In healthy patients with good hygiene, progression may be 0.2-0.5mm per year – taking 10-20 years to cause failure. The disease often starts silently. Regular X-rays (every 1-2 years) are essential to detect bone loss before it becomes symptomatic or irreversible.
Can my UK dentist treat peri-implantitis on implants placed in Turkey?
Yes, most UK dentists can diagnose and treat early to moderate peri-implantitis on Turkish implants. They will probe around the implant, take X-rays, and perform deep cleaning (debridement) using plastic instruments. For advanced cases requiring flap surgery or bone grafting, some UK dentists will treat you while others may refer you back to Turkey. Ask your dentist directly: "Are you willing to treat peri-implantitis on an implant placed in Turkey?"