by maria |
Last Updated: February 14, 2021 Why Dental Implant Fail
Dental implants are one of the most trusted and predictable treatments for tooth replacement with an exceptionally high success rate. However, just like any other treatment dental implants do fail, either early due to failure to osseointegrate or late due to loading post-implant integration. Since the goal is to achieve satisfactory functional and aesthetic improvisation, dentists often recommend preventive measures to avoid dental implant failure. Reasons could be many, and a trusted dentist will explain the reason for failure in detail and a suitable restorative option so that you could smile with confidence.
How to Detect Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implants could fail due to several reasons. The primary cause could be implant mal-position, which could damage the vital dental structure. Other reasons include integration failure, implant fracture, and advanced bone loss. If you have a dental implant, you should be aware of the possible signs of dental implant failure. Some of the most common signs of dental implant failure are:
Severe Pain and Discomfort: Mild pain for the first few days is normal, but if you are experiencing excruciating pain in the form of the throbbing wave, you could consult your dentist immediately.
Gum Recession: If there isn’t sufficient bone and tissue or a poorly positioned implant, the gums could recede. If you see an abnormally long implant crown followed by painful inflammation around the implant, you should consult your dentist before it is too late.
Chewing and Biting Challenge: Implants are designed to function like a normal tooth, so you should not have any difficulty in chewing and biting. Any difficulty in chewing or biting could be a sign of implant failure.
Loose Implant: A well-fitted implant will never feel like a foreign object in the mouth. So if your implant wobbles, then it is a sign of improper fitting. Never ignore it, as it could damage your delicate dental structure.
Swollen Gums: If swelling persists with inflammation past the healing period, which could be just a few days, then it is a sign of infection. Get in touch with your dentist immediately to control the spread of infection.
Some other signs could be micro-movement of the implant due to procedural lapse, allergic reaction to implant material, teeth grinding—making implant integration difficult. Whatever is the case, if you notice any sign, you should better consult your dental surgeon to prevent further damage.
How to Prevent Dental Implant Failure?
The dental system is highly complex, and only a highly experienced dental surgeon could execute dental implant procedures with perfection. Although the success rate of the treatment is very high, a qualified dentist will follow the best practices to avoid any failure. Some of the dentists controlled preventive measures are:
Design of Crown or Bridge: The success of dental implants depends on the design of your crown or bridge. Your dentist will ensure that the crown or bridge on top of the dental implant has proper contact points so that it could be cleaned easily to avoid any chance of infection.
Implant Retention: Although screw-retained implants are the best, if your dental implant is cement-retained, your dentist will make sure that cementing material isn’t lodged around implants and gums, as this could cause infection later.
Abutment: Your dentist will choose the best abutment made of titanium, zirconia or a hybrid of both.
Implant Position: This is the most important success determining factor in the dental implant procedure. Your dentist will make sure the implant is properly positioned, neither too deep nor too shallow, nor too far nor near the adjacent tooth. He will make sure there is the right amount of soft tissue around the implant to prevent implant failure.
General Health: Despite the best implant positioning, it could fail because of general health challenges like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis, or any issue. So, you should share all possible details with your dentist if you are under treatment.
Habits: You can prevent the failure of dental implants by quitting tobacco smoking or chewing habits. It is better to avoid chewing hard substances.
Oral Hygiene: Above all, you have to follow standard oral care practices to keep your mouth and teeth clean.
Can a failed implant be replaced?
How to Choose Dental Care Clinic to Treat Dental Implants Failure?
Dental implant failure could be not just painful but costly. So, your priority should always be quality treatment, which you could get only from someone who has vast experience of successful dental implants. Restorative procedures are highly complex, especially when dealing with dental implant failures, so should check the track record of the dental service provider first then book an appointment to know about the reason for failure and possible treatment plan.
Cost matters, so you should look for a cost-competitive package, which should ideally cover removal, replacement, and bone augmentation. If required, your dentist must be equipped to offer aesthetic improvement treatments like tissue grafting, enameloplasty, gingivectomy (gum reshaping), along with dental implant crown replacement.