Define ailing and failing
Clinically unhealthy implants are classified as "ailing" or "failing". It is necessary to distinguish between an ailing versus a failing implant to determine the treatment steps necessary to salvage the unhealthy implant. Implants exhibiting soft tissue problems exclusively are classified as ailing and have a more favourable prognosis- Peri-implant mucositis involves inflammatory changes confined to the soft tissue surrounding an implant. In some instances, the ailing implant may have exhibited early bone loss along with soft tissue pocketing. However, this bone loss tends to become static at the 3 to 4 month maintenance checks. A lamina dura indicating a state of chronicity also may be present at the borders of the osseous defect.