Dental Implants. Very Early Infection?

Question

5 days after dental implants were inserted I can see a white coating on the gum at the sutures where my dentist buried the implants. Is this an infection?

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

Without photos hard to determine but many times I get calls from patients and they come in concerned and it turns out that it is normal.  As gums heal they normally appear white.

Jessica Wyatt, DDS · Answer

Without a photo, it's hard to say. If you're concerned about infection, the best course of action would be to follow up with the dentist so he or she can evaluate the area. When the site is healing, a normal white-ish substance called "granulation tissue" can form, and this is normal. Hope this helps.

Victor Sanz, DDS · Answer

If the taste is somewhat foul/bitter, it may be. It does seem very early, I suspect food plaque or just white blood cells healing the area which is normal. If in doubt, stop by the dentist for a quick check.

Brian Dorfman, MD, DMD · Answer

The white coating you write about most likely is either healing granulation tissue, dissolving sutures (if the dissolving type was used) or possibly plaque buildup on the sutures.If there is a white / yellow fluid coming from the wound then this represents pus and you may have an infection. See the doctor that placed the implants to make sure you are healing correctly

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD - Account Suspended · Answer

Without photos, this is just a guess: this is normal healing of the gums. Infection takes time to "incubate" so I would not think it is that. As gums heal from surgery, they often appear white. They may even slough off an outer layer or two. Within two weeks it should look close to normal.

Dental Implants. Very Early Infection?

Answers (5)

More Dental Implants Questions

Im Missing a Lower-right Canine (#27) and my Dentist Says the Place is Too Small for Implant, What Should I Do?

Wisdom Teeth Have Caused Bottom Front Teeth to Overcrowd. How to Fix? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (5)

More Dental Implants Questions

Im Missing a Lower-right Canine (#27) and my Dentist Says the Place is Too Small for Implant, What Should I Do?

Wisdom Teeth Have Caused Bottom Front Teeth to Overcrowd. How to Fix? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS