Can Dental Implants Fail

The decision to get dental implants is a big one. Though a patient should have every confidence that the procedure will be a success, there’s a small chance that the implants will fail. Specialty Dental Care examines the symptoms of dental implant failure and discusses ways to prevent this from happening.

Symptoms Of Dental Implant Failure

The three most common signs of dental implant failure are:

• A persistent feeling that the implant is loosening in the jaw – or, the ability to actually move the implant with your finger
• Extended discomfort or pain. This is a tricky one, because pain is usually part of the healing process. However, any pain the patient feels should last only a short time after the implant is placed. If the pain doesn’t ebb, it could be a sign of dental implant failure. Similarly, if the patient felt little to no pain after implant surgery, but then began experiencing pain weeks after the procedure, the cause could be implant failure.
• Long-term swelling and/or inflammation. Swelling and inflammation are natural post-implant byproducts, but if these things don’t subside, or the patient’s gum tissues begin looking red and inflamed, then the implants may have failed and an infection may have set in.

Most of us know when something is amiss with our teeth. A healthy, well-positioned implant should feel natural, to the point that you’re unaware it’s even there. If any of the aforementioned symptoms, however, are present, it’s important to immediately address them in order to stave off infection. The most serious cases of dental implant failure, if left unattended, could result in significant jawbone damage.

What To Do If a Dental Implant Fails?

Dental implant failure can occur a few weeks after surgery, or several years later. The important thing to remember is that in the event of failure, seek help from your dentist right away.
If an implant is loose or damaged, it may need to be removed completely to protect the jawbone from infection-related damage. Time must then be given for the implant site to fully heal, at which point another implant surgery can be scheduled. Or, if the implant failure is relatively minor and the risk of infection is low, the dentist could reinforce the failing implant with additional bone grafts. In the worst-case scenario, when infection has set in and caused considerable bone loss, a bone graft may be necessary in order to improve the jawbone’s overall health.

How To Avoid The Risk Of Dental Implant Failure

Infection and inflammation are the two main causes of dental implant failure. These things can be minimized with proper oral care. The risk of failure also increases with patients who smoke or who suffer from an immune system deficiency.
It’s also important to choose a dentist skilled in the practice of implant dentistry: someone highly experienced in dental implant sizing and placement. Specialty Dental Care in Omaha is such a dentist, and with our expertise on your side, the probability of a successful dental implant is as high as 98%.

For more information on our services, including crown lengthening, tissue regeneration, and periodontal procedures, contact our specialists today.