Treatment of Failed Dental Implants
While dental implants are an excellent solution for tooth replacement, they can still fail. However, it’s important to note that failed dental implants are a rare occurrence. In fact, 95% of dental implant procedures are successful. But what if you have had a dental implants fitted and it becomes one of the very few that fail?
At BrightCrafts Dental, we offer treatment of failed dental implants during which we remove the failed dental implant and replace it with another.
What are failed implants?
✓ Failed implants might sound frightening to patients but it is not a life-threatening situation. The word “failure” in this context means something that was meant to solve a problem but was unsuccessful. So failed implants simply refers to installed implants that didn’t fulfill its purpose (functional or aesthetic).
✓ Dental implants are a traditionally successful procedure but like other procedures, they may not always work. It may or may not also be the fault of the dentist who fitted it as failed implants can occur for a variety of reasons. There’s no need to panic when they fail as they can be treated.
✓ A dental implant generally consists of three parts namely: a titanium implant body inserted into the bone, an attachment called the abutment and a crown that is attached to the abutment and aligned with your remaining teeth.
✓ If any of these parts break or become loose, they may result in issues that could lead to failed dental implants.
Implants are made of metal but they function in the mouth through a process known as osseointegration.
✓ During the process, your body produces living cells around the surface of the implant, anchoring it to your jawbone.
✓ Over time, healthy bone surrounds the implant, indicating that the implant procedure is successful.
✓ Sometimes, osseointegration does not happen as it should and this leads to a variety of problems after the implantation.
How do I know if I have a failed dental implant?
If you recently had dental implants but you’re worried that the implants have failed but not sure what to look out for, here are some signs that indicate implant failure.
✓ Severe pain and discomfort
After the dental implant procedure, you will experience pain for a few days. This is normal since you’re in your recovery phase. Your dentist will prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers to help you manage the pain.
However, if the pain and discomfort persists long after the procedure, we advise you visit your dentist for a dental examination.
✓ Receding gums around the implant
Gum recession may occur due to poorly positioned implants or due to insufficient bone material to hold the implant securely. This usually results in inflammation around the implant site and an unusually long implant.
✓ Difficulty chewing or biting or talking
A major attraction to dental implants is that they support biting and chewing, especially since they look, feel and function like natural teeth. If you notice any abnormality while doing any of these, a dental implant failure might be imminent.
✓ Shifting or loosing implants
✓ If your dental implant was correctly installed, it shouldn’t feel like a foreign object in your mouth.
✓ If you notice that your implant shakes, wobbles or shifts at any time, it’s a sign that it’s not properly seated on your gums.
✓ Allergic reactions
Dental implants are made of titanium alloy, which may cause allergic reactions in some people. Examples of such reactions include loss of taste, swelling around the guns and a tingling sensation. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important you reach out to a trusted dentist immediately for further assistance.
What are the causes of a failed dental implant?
Common reasons dental implants fail include:
✓ Advanced or untreated periodontal disease
✓ Poor oral hygiene
✓ Poorly taken impressions
✓ Misalignment of the implant
✓ Lack of sufficient jawbone
✓ Smoking
✓ Constant grinding of teeth (Bruxism)
✓ Health conditions such as cancer, diabetes and auto immune disease
✓ Certain medications that indicate bone growth including antidepressants
✓ Incomplete medical information
What is procedure for treating for failed dental implants?
✓ We may request your medical and dental history to evaluate your situation.
✓ We may also carry out an oral examination to see the condition of the implants.
✓ If there’s tartar or plaque, the affected site will be cleaned.
✓ The failed dental implant is then removed under local anesthetic.
✓ If the bone is in good condition, a bone graft won’t be necessary.
✓ But if there is bone loss, we play place a bone graft to improve the site for healing.
✓ Healing might take up to 6 months before a new implant will be installed.
✓ During the healing, we discuss the risk factors that caused the implant to fail and how they can be managed.
Schedule a consultation
Dental implants have a high overall success rate but things may still go south. If you notice any of the signs above about failed dental implants, you should contact an experienced dentist for an emergency visit.
At BrightCrafts Dental, we can help correct failed dental implants.
Book an appointment today!
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What to do next?
If you are considering a dental implant, we recommend that you make an appointment to talk to one of our consultants and discuss the best options for you.
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