Dental implants, surgically placed into a person’s mouth, serve as a replacement for missing teeth or teeth lost due to disease or trauma.
Compared to natural teeth, dental implants are more durable and last longer. The dental implantation procedure is becoming more preferred and has a success rate of around 98%. Like any other procedure or surgery, complications and failure can occur.
The likelihood of these happening is always possible. Regular preventative care is key to maintaining good oral health and avoiding risk.
A dental implant helps replace one or more teeth, emphasizing the appearance of the smile and restoring chewing abilities. When placed into the jaw just below the gums, the surrounding bone fuses around the dental implant to allow stability and long-term success.
Dental implant surgery involves first removing the damaged tooth and then the placement of a dental implant or post, after which there is a healing period of a few months. The next stage includes abutment, the connector between the implant and the tooth, and last, the artificial tooth placement.
Causes of dental implant failure depend on many factors, such as the dentist’s experience doing the implant, the overall health of the patient, and hygiene habits. Dental implant failure can be due to one or more of the following reasons:
The smoke from cigarettes contains toxins that cause damage to the tissues surrounding the implant. It can increase your risk of developing gum infection and delay recovery.
Peri-implantitis is site-specific inflammation in the jawbone and gum tissue surrounding the implant due to plaque or bacteria.
Implants, if not positioned correctly, can loosen and fall out. The location of dental implants should avoid nerves, blood vessels, and the lining of nasal sinuses if in the upper arch of the mouth. Inaccurate dental impressions can also affect the integrity of the implant.
Good oral hygiene is standard practice for everyone who has teeth. It’s even more important with dental implants. Daily brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits leave no room for plaque and bacteria to cause gum disease, infections, and inflammation, leading to dental implant failure.
Adequate support for the dental implant requires sufficient bone and bone tissue. Bone health can be affected by bone shrinkage and teeth grinding.
Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. You are not a good candidate for dental implants if:
Noticing the first signs of dental implantation failure leads to swift treatment or correction. Symptoms of dental implant failure include pain and discomfort around the implant, inflammation of the gums, difficulty chewing, and loosening or movement of the implant.
Treatment depends on the cause of implant failure. If it’s peri-implantitis and caught early, the dentist will clean out the implant and suggest more stringent oral health measures.
In the case of insufficient bone density, such as bone loss or damage, a bone graft may provide a solution. A bone graft involves adding bone material to the existing bone to increase the amount of bone needed to support the dental implant.
Keeping your dental implant healthy and maintaining it for as long as possible, observe the following procedures:
These tips will ensure the success of your dental implants and significantly reduce the possibility of failure.
Dental implant failure is not excessively common, but it can cause long-term damage to the surrounding areas. To avoid disaster and prolong the lifespan of your implant, follow all post-surgical instructions and observe proper hygiene for your dental implants.
Garcia Dental Care is here to provide an easy fix to missing teeth. We specialize in cosmetic dentistry, including dental implants. Book an appointment to discuss if you are a candidate for dental implants.
