The 17th Gum Day "Implant Success and Failure, Aftercare Determines Outcome"

The Korean Academy of Periodontology and Dongkook Pharmaceutical conducted the 17th Gum Day campaign titled "Post-care Determines the Success or Failure of Implants." Photo by Dongkook Pharmaceutical

The Korean Academy of Periodontology and Dongkook Pharmaceutical held the "17th Gum Day" event on the 20th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, under the theme "Success and Failure of Implants Depend on Postoperative Care."

Recently, implant treatments have increased due to aging and changes in dietary habits; however, awareness of proper postoperative care is lacking, leading to a surge in cases of peri-implant diseases or, in severe cases, removal of the implanted implants. In response, the Korean Academy of Periodontology analyzed the prevalence and risk factors of peri-implant diseases based on recent research findings and emphasized the importance of proper postoperative care. Additionally, to commemorate Gum Day on March 24, they proposed the "3.2.4 Rule for Teeth and Implants" and provided specific postoperative care guidelines.

In the first presentation, Professor Jin-Young Park from Yonsei University Dental Hospital emphasized the severity of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, representative peri-implant diseases that can occur due to insufficient postoperative care, under the theme "Peri-implant Diseases and the Importance of Postoperative Care." According to the study, 43% of those who received implant procedures experienced peri-implant mucositis, and 22% experienced peri-implantitis. This means that 3 out of 5 people who received implants suffer from peri-implant diseases.

Unlike natural teeth, implants lack periodontal ligaments, making it difficult to feel pain when inflammation occurs, and symptoms often appear only after the condition has significantly progressed. In severe cases, bone loss occurs, and even reconstructive surgery may not restore the implant to its original state.

Professor Yoon-Jung Kim from the Department of Periodontology at Gwanak Seoul National University Dental Hospital presented on "Risk Factors Affecting Peri-implant Diseases," emphasizing the importance of oral hygiene management, regular check-ups, and periodontal treatment for the successful maintenance of implants. Major patient-related risk factors for peri-implant diseases include ▲ history of periodontal disease (2.29 times) ▲ poor oral hygiene (3.8 times) ▲ uncontrolled diabetes (2.75 times) ▲ smoking (5.89 times) ▲ osteoporosis medication (2.69 times) ▲ excessive alcohol consumption (2.3 times), as well as implant-related factors such as ▲ abutment and prosthesis shape ▲ residual cement under the mucosa ▲ shape and thickness of surrounding soft tissues ▲ abnormal implant placement.

Mr. Kyung-Man Min, Public Relations Committee Chair of the Korean Academy of Periodontology, presented the results of a "Public Awareness Survey on Implant Postoperative Care," pointing out that 60% of implant recipients do not properly manage postoperative care. According to the survey, only 3.5% of implant recipients reported experiencing complications, but this is explained by most patients not recognizing symptoms until later. In fact, 89.4% responded that they do not perform postoperative care because they do not feel discomfort.

Professor Sung-Tae Kim from the Department of Periodontology at Seoul National University Dental Hospital gave a presentation on "The Necessity and Proper Methods of Implant Postoperative Care," emphasizing that maintenance therapy is crucial to prevent peri-implantitis and improve long-term success rates. He explained that the ideal interval for implant maintenance therapy is every three months within the first year after surgery, and thereafter, based on individual implant risk assessments, the interval can be extended to six months for low-risk patients. He also stressed the importance of personal oral hygiene management and proposed the "3.2.4 Rule for Teeth and Implants": brushing teeth at least three (3) times a day, scaling twice (2) a year, and using interdental brushes four (4) times a day.

Mr. Junho Song, CEO of Dongkook Pharmaceutical, stated, "We are pleased to co-host Gum Day with the Korean Academy of Periodontology on a timely topic in a super-aged society," adding, "As a pharmaceutical company owning the Insadol brand, a gum medicine that received over-the-counter drug approval from the Swiss Medicines Agency last year and is preparing for full-scale exports to Europe, we will continue to carry out various social contribution activities for the gum health of the public."