Peri-implant Mucositis
Pronunciation: peh-ree-im-plant myoo-koh-SY-tis
A reversible inflammatory lesion confined to the soft tissues surrounding an osseointegrated implant, with no bone loss.
Full Definition
Peri-implant mucositis is considered the precursor to peri-implantitis and is characterised by redness, swelling, and bleeding on probing of the peri-implant mucosal tissues, without radiographic evidence of crestal bone loss. Its reversibility upon effective plaque control distinguishes it diagnostically from peri-implantitis. Editors should ensure the hyphen is preserved in 'peri-implant' and that 'mucositis' is spelled in full; abbreviations are not standard. The distinction between mucositis and peri-implantitis carries clinical and medico-legal weight in treatment records.
Usage
Usage note: Retain the hyphen in 'peri-implant' throughout. Do not abbreviate to 'mucositis' alone without prior qualification, as the term also appears in oncology documentation.
In Context
- "Peri-implant mucositis was diagnosed at the three-month review; no bone loss was detected radiographically." — Implant maintenance recall note
- "Unlike peri-implantitis, peri-implant mucositis is considered fully reversible with improved oral hygiene." — Patient education document