After a dental implant procedure, there’s always a risk — no matter how small — that the implant may fail. However, a failed implant is different from an ailing implant. For an ailing implant, prompt treatment may be able to save the implant and prevent complete failure. However, leaving an ailing implant untreated can be detrimental and create a host of problems. An ailing implant is affected by peri-implant mucositis without bone loss. A variety of techniques can be used for surface decontamination, or a periodontist can choose to use a regenerative approach. A YAG laser, which is also used after cataract surgery to remove cloudiness of the artificial lens, can be used to effectively remove bacterial colonies and calculus from around the implant. While ailing implants were often hastily removed in the past, newer technology has allowed periodontists to help save implants from failure and it’s often not necessary to remove an implant affected by peri-implant mucositis right away.