Peri-implantitis
Pronunciation: peh-ree-im-plan-TY-tis
An inflammatory condition affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding a dental implant, resulting in progressive loss of supporting bone.
Full Definition
Peri-implantitis is characterised by mucosal inflammation and radiographically verifiable crestal bone loss extending beyond the expected remodelling that follows implant placement. It is the implant equivalent of periodontitis and is defined by thresholds for bleeding on probing, probing depth, and bone loss in recent consensus documents (e.g., the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases). Editors should hyphenate the term (peri-implantitis) as per convention and distinguish it from 'peri-implant mucositis', which is reversible inflammation confined to soft tissue without bone loss.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenated: peri-implantitis. Distinguish from 'peri-implant mucositis' (no bone loss) and 'periodontitis' (affecting natural teeth).
In Context
- "Peri-implantitis was diagnosed based on bleeding on probing and 3 mm of radiographic bone loss." — Implant maintenance recall report
- "The clinician differentiated peri-implantitis from peri-implant mucositis by confirming bone resorption on the periapical radiograph." — Differential diagnosis note