With the advancements in dental technology, dental implants have become one of the healthiest and highest-quality methods for replacing lost or damaged teeth. In many cases, when cared for properly, dental implants can last you for the remainder of your life.
With a 95% success rate for dental implants, failure of the implant is extremely rare, but it can still occur. Although your body won’t reject the dental implant, there other factors that can lead to dental implant failure.
What Can Cause Dental Implant Failure?
Common causes of dental implant failure include:
Peri-implantitis – This is an infection that forms around both the implant and inside of the gums. Typically, this infection is caused by poor dental hygiene after dental implant surgery. This infection can lead to further bone loss and implant failure.
Nerve and tissue damage – An implant that has been placed too close to a nerve, it can cause the patient to experience chronic pain, numbness or tingling in the tongue, cheek, lips, chin, or gums. Nerve damage can be temporary or permanent and may lead to the removal of the implant.
Failed osseointegration – This term refers to an implant that fell out or one that is loose. Osseointegration is a process that overs over several months after the dental implant is placed. The implant will usually become loose or fall out due to failure of the jawbone to fuse correctly with the implant. This can happen due to overloading, incorrect positioning, sudden impact or external force, or damage to the surrounding tissue.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
Although different factors can lead to dental implant failure, the symptoms of dental implant failure are the same. Signs of dental implant failure include:
Swollen or inflamed gums
Loosened implant
Serve pain/discomfort around the implant
If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Preventing Dental Implant Failure
Proper oral care is key to the success of your dental implants. Be sure to practice good oral hygiene habits by brushing and flossing twice a day and using an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash. It is also essential to avoid hard candy, rough foods, and to avoid smoking if you have recently gotten dental implants.
It is also essential to seek out a dentist with expertise in dental implant surgery to ensure your implants are placed correctly. At South Hills Dental Arts, we use state-of-the-art technology to digitally plan and place your dental implants for a high success rate. We can also customize the procedure to ensure you are comfortable throughout the entire process.
