Bleeding Around Dental Implant – What Do You Need to Do?

Dental implants are a transformative solution for missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics to your smile. At Hamilton Dental Centre, we’re passionate about helping patients achieve long-lasting, healthy results with dental implants. However, even with the best care, issues can sometimes arise, one of the most common being bleeding around a dental implant. If you’re experiencing this, it’s important to know what it means, why it happens, and what steps you should take to protect your oral health.

What Does Bleeding Around Dental Implants Mean?

Bleeding around a dental implant can occur at various stages – immediately after dental implant surgery, or months or even years later. While minor bleeding and the formation of a blood clot are normal during the initial healing phase, persistent or delayed bleeding is not and should be taken seriously.

Bleeding after dental implant surgery typically results from trauma to the gum tissue or soft tissue and should subside within a few days. However, if you are experiencing bleeding well after the procedure, it could indicate inflammation or infection in the tissue around the implant. This is often due to conditions known as mucositis or peri-implantitis.

Causes of Bleeding Around Implants

Understanding the causes of dental implant bleeding can help you and your dental team address the issue effectively:

• Mucositis: This is a reversible inflammatory reaction in the soft tissue around the implant. Symptoms of mucositis include redness, swelling, and bleeding from the gum around the implant. Poor oral hygiene, bacteria, and excess cement from crown placement are common culprits.
• Peri-implantitis: If mucositis is left untreated, it can progress to peri-implantitis, a destructive inflammatory condition affecting both the soft tissue and bone around the dental implant. Symptoms of peri-implantitis mirror those of mucositis but also include bone loss, pus, and sometimes a loose implant.
• Excess Cement: Retained cement from crown placement can irritate the tissue and cause inflammation, leading to bleeding and swelling.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can allow bacteria to accumulate around the implant, leading to inflammation and bleeding.
• Smoking and Medical Conditions: Smoking, diabetes, and a history of gum disease can increase susceptibility to infection and bleeding.
• Bite Misalignment or Excessive Force: Excessive biting forces can traumatise the tissue and bone around the implant, resulting in bleeding.
• Surgical Complications: During dental implant surgery, perforation of the bone (especially in the upper jaw or mandibular region) can cause bleeding. Careful surgical technique is essential to avoid damaging blood vessels or bone.

How to Treat an Infection Around a Dental Implant

If you are experiencing bleeding around your dental implant, especially if accompanied by swelling, redness, or pain, it’s vital to act quickly:

1. Schedule a Dental Appointment Immediately

Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Your dentist will examine the gum tissue, assess the tissue and bone around the implant, and may take X-rays to check for bone loss or infection.

2. Maintain Meticulous Oral Hygiene

• Brush gently around the implant with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Floss or use a water flosser daily to clean the tissue around the implant.
• Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria.

3. Remove Excess Cement

If excess cement is detected, your dentist can carefully remove it, which often resolves mucositis and stops the bleeding.

4. Manage Minor Bleeding at Home

• Bite down on a clean gauze pad or a moist, caffeinated tea bag for 30 minutes to help stop the bleeding.
• Avoid hot foods and drinks, which can increase blood flow and bleeding.
• Apply a cold compress to the area of the jaw to reduce bleeding and swelling.
• Avoid strenuous activity, smoking, or using straws, which can dislodge the blood clot and prolong bleeding.

5. Treating Mucositis and Peri-implantitis

• Mucositis: This can often be reversed with professional cleaning and improved home care. Your dentist may use special instruments or a laser to disinfect the area.
• Peri-implantitis: This requires more intensive treatment, sometimes including surgery to clean the area, remove infected tissue, and repair bone loss. In severe cases, bone grafting may be needed to restore lost bone before a new implant can be placed.

Where to Get Help

If you are experiencing bleeding around your dental implant, don’t delay. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming major complications. At Hamilton Dental Centre, our experienced team is equipped to diagnose and treat all implant-related concerns, from mucositis to peri-implantitis and beyond.

Visit our Dental Implants page to learn more about our services, or read about how dental implants can transform your smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dental implant is infected?

Look for symptoms such as persistent bleeding, redness, swelling, or pain in the gum tissue around the implant. Other signs include pus, bad breath, a loose implant, or bone loss visible on X-rays. These are symptoms of mucositis or peri-implantitis and require prompt dental attention.

Is there a risk of bleeding with dental implants?

Yes, some bleeding is normal immediately after dental implant surgery as a blood clot forms in the soft tissue. However, ongoing or delayed bleeding-especially when accompanied by swelling or pain-may indicate mucositis or peri-implantitis and should be evaluated by your dentist.

How much bleeding is normal for an implant?

• Immediately after surgery: Minor bleeding or oozing is expected for the first 24–48 hours and should gradually subside as the blood clot stabilises.
• Long-term: Any new or persistent bleeding after dental implant healing is not normal and should be checked by your dentist.

Final Thoughts

Bleeding around a dental implant is not something to ignore. Whether it’s caused by mucositis, peri-implantitis, excess cement, or surgical complications, prompt action is essential to stop the bleeding and protect the tissue and bone supporting your implant. If you are experiencing bleeding or swelling, or notice any symptoms of mucositis or peri-implantitis, contact Hamilton Dental Centre right away.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit our Dental Implants page. To learn more about the transformative power of dental implants, read our article on how dental implants can transform your smile.