10 years ago, five 13mm ilong mplants were placed on my lower jaw, on top of which is a fixed hybrid denture. The recent x-ray shows that I lost over 3mm bone around three implants (bone level is at the 3rd and the 4th thread). The implant threads are not above the gum line yet, but pretty close to be visible. I have been experiencing minor bleeding while I am flossing one of these three implants for a couple of weeks. Although the implants feel stable and the gum surrounding the implants look healthy, the minor bleeding and excessive bone loss (I think I can call these three implants ailing implants) greatly worries me. I am relatively young and need the implants to serve me for at least 30~40 years. What are my options?

1) Wait until the implant threads above gum line and become unmanageable? What are my options at that time? Can bone be successfully added around the implant threads? Smoothen the exposed implant threads?

2) Gum graft now --- can it prevent future bone loss?

3) Better hygiene? I am flossing daily and rinsing after each meal, and using hydra floss a few times a day. What else can I do to reduce future bone loss around the implants?

After many years experience with implants, I am starting to realize what was advocated by the doctors that the dental implant can prevent bone loss is not always true. So many troubles can come along with it, which I was not told by my dentist while the implants were placed.

Please kindly provide me your opinion. Thanks and lots of appreciation.!

Very unlucky patient