Peri-implantitis affects up to 20% of implant patients. Early treatment can save your implant — and save you from starting over.
Treated by Dr. Lee Cheol-gyu & Dr. Lee Dae-gyeong
Last updated: April 2026 · 9 min read
You invested thousands in a dental implant. Now something's wrong — swelling, bleeding, looseness, or your dentist says you're losing bone around the implant. This is peri-implantitis, and it's more common than most patients realize.
Studies suggest peri-implantitis affects 12–20% of implant patients within 5–10 years of placement. The good news: if caught early, the implant can often be saved. The bad news: many general dentists aren't equipped to treat it, which is why patients sometimes end up losing implants that could have been rescued.
of implant patients develop peri-implantitis within 5–10 years. Early treatment can save the implant.
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissue and bone around a dental implant. Think of it as "gum disease for implants." Bacteria colonize the implant surface, triggering inflammation that progressively destroys the supporting bone.
Warning signs include redness and swelling around the implant, bleeding when brushing or flossing near the implant, the implant feeling slightly loose or different, pus discharge from around the implant, persistent bad taste or odor, deepening pockets around the implant on probing, and visible bone loss on X-rays.
If you notice any of these signs, don't wait. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes.
Peri-implantitis can develop for several reasons: poor oral hygiene allowing bacterial buildup, smoking (significantly increases risk), uncontrolled diabetes, the implant was placed in insufficient bone, cement left behind during crown placement, overloading from bite forces, and genetic susceptibility to inflammatory conditions.
Sometimes the original implant placement was technically sound but the patient's biology or habits created conditions for failure. In other cases, the original placement itself contributed — inadequate bone, improper positioning, or residual cement.
Non-surgical treatment (mild cases): Mechanical debridement to remove bacterial deposits from the implant surface, antiseptic irrigation, and possibly systemic antibiotics. This can halt progression in early-stage peri-implantitis.
Laser-assisted treatment (Kainos Dental's approach): The LOKKI YAP Laser provides precision debridement that reaches the microscopic surface textures on the implant where bacteria hide. Unlike mechanical cleaning, laser energy can sterilize areas that instruments cannot reach. This is followed by bone regeneration if needed — using the same laser-activated bone protocol Kainos Dental uses for new implant patients.
Surgical intervention (advanced cases): When bone loss is significant, surgical access may be needed to fully clean the implant surface and place bone graft material. Dr. Lee Dae-gyeong performs this using 3D CT-guided planning to precisely target the affected area.
Implant removal (last resort): If bone loss has progressed too far, the implant may need to be removed, the site allowed to heal, and a new implant placed (possibly with bone grafting). This is the outcome everyone wants to avoid — which is why early treatment matters.
Kainos Dental's approach to failing implants combines two technologies: the LOKKI YAP Laser for surface debridement and sterilization, and the Nd:YAP laser-activated bone regeneration protocol for rebuilding lost bone. The same protocol that works for periodontal disease is adapted for the unique challenges of implant surfaces.
The typical treatment plan involves an initial assessment with Cone Beam CT to quantify bone loss, 1–3 laser treatment sessions depending on severity, bone regeneration if indicated, and follow-up monitoring at regular intervals.
Peri-implantitis treatment in the US costs $1,500–$3,000+ per session for laser-assisted treatment, with surgical cases running higher. At Kainos Dental: $300–$800 per session.
For patients with multiple failing implants, the savings compound significantly. And unlike many US practices, Kainos Dental has the specific laser equipment and protocol designed for implant surface treatment.
Honestly? It depends on how much bone has been lost. If peri-implantitis is caught early (moderate inflammation with minimal bone loss), the success rate for treatment is high. If bone loss has progressed significantly, the implant may still be treatable but with lower predictability.
The only way to know is to get your case assessed. Send your X-rays and a description of your symptoms to Kainos Dental for an honest evaluation.
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