Dental implants are successful. However, that does still leave some possibility of dental implant failure. While you do not need to be overly afraid of this happening to you, you should still know how to recognize the signs. This blog post discusses what you need to know.
What Causes Dental Implant Failure?
When dental implants fail, it is usually due to an infection known as peri-implantitis. Basically, this is a type of gum disease that attacks the tissue around an implant. If it becomes severe, it can seriously damage an implant’s base of support and cause it to fail. Poor oral hygiene and other factors, such as smoking, can contribute to the development of peri-implantitis.
Other potential contributors to dental implant failure include:
- Underlying medical conditions, such as some types of cancer and bone conditions.
- Physical trauma, such as what may be caused by an accident or severe teeth grinding.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
Dental implant failure can occur at any time, whether it is soon after the placement surgery or years down the road. If you ever experience any of these signs/symptoms, you should seek professional care right away:
- Unusual or severe pain. After you heal from dental implant surgery, your new teeth should feel very comfortable in your mouth. Severe, unusual, or prolonged pain is a major red flag.
- Signs of infection. Redness, swelling, pus, bad breath, and gum recession could all point to the presence of peri-implantitis.
- An implant feels loose. This might indicate a problem with the implant itself or the restoration on top of it.
- Difficulty chewing. Your implants should allow you to eat virtually any food with ease. Challenges in this area are a good reason to visit our practice.
Is It Possible to Save a Failing Dental Implant?
If a problem is identified while it is still in its early stages, Dr. Makadia might be able to address the issue via conservative means. Those means could range from minor changes to your oral hygiene routine, laser treatment, or bone grafting. In some cases, a new restoration is necessary.
If the problem is severe, though, you are likely to need more extensive care. Our team may have to completely remove the failing dental implant. Later, after a healing period and any necessary restorative care, you might be eligible for a new implant or alternate means of tooth replacement.
Hopefully, you never have to deal with dental implant failure, but if you do, you can count on our team to provide the top-quality care you deserve.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Makadia is a highly experienced, highly educated implant dentist in Bohemia, Long Island, New York. He and our team offer a full range of services, including dental implant salvage. If you are concerned about the health of your prosthetic teeth, we are ready to evaluate your case and provide our expert opinion. Contact Sunrise Dental Service at 631-567-5566.