I first noticed gum irritation (cut?) above my dental implant after a trip. Since it did not seem to be healing, I went to my dentist for an evaluation. He took an X-ray and said he did not see anything concerning. He believed my retainer was pressing against the area and preventing it from healing properly.
Over the following months, the area appeared to improve somewhat, but I still notice occasional irritation and a small white bump or “bead” forming. At times it is difficult to tell whether the area is healing, simply irritated, or if there may still be an underlying issue.
Before seeing the dentist, I had pressed on the gum near the area while flossing and some pus drained out. After that, the area appeared less noticeable during the appointment. My dentist mentioned that healing could take several weeks and that gum tissue around an implant can sometimes take months to fully heal due to limited blood flow.
However, it has now been almost over two months after fixing the retainer, and I am still noticing some irritation. I am wondering if this type of prolonged healing is considered normal, or if it would be advisable to return for another evaluation or possibly see a specialist.
I took some photos - one is what it usually looks like when left alone and the other is after I brushed gently over it yesterday and I’m assuming it got irritated