Gum disease around dental implants affects approximately half the number of people who have dental implants. Gum disease around dental implants is difficult to treat with the current treatments available. If these diseased implants are not treated, half of them will eventually become loose and fall out.

The material of the crown placed on implants may affect gum health. The goal of this study is to assess the effect of altering the surface of the crown in addition to cleaning around the implant. Participants will have their implant cleaned and then have their crown removed. The surface layer of the crown will be removed and polished. After this is done, the crown will be put back onto the implant.

We will measure the severity of the gum disease around the implant through visual inspection, gum measurements and analyzing the gum fluids. The gum fluid will be used to assess the activity of the immune system in the gums. These measurements will be collected just before treatment and after 60-70 days.

We believe altering the surface of the crown has a high chance of resolving gum disease around implants. This is key to preventing the gum disease from progressing to the point where it becomes untreatable – leading to the implant falling out.