January 15, 2022

4 Ways to Avoid Dental Implant Failure

Dr. Chilcoat @ 9:45 am
failed dental implant

Dental implant failure is highly uncommon. Instead, these permanent prosthetics are known to have a success rate of around 95%. However, should poor oral hygiene, facial trauma, failed osseointegration, or improper placement lead to issues with your smile, it’s important that you seek professional help right away. In this article, we’ll look at which signs point to dental implant failure as well as what you can do to prevent this problem in the first place.

How to Know if Your Dental Implant is Failing

A dental implant consists of three major parts: the titanium post (root), a metal abutment that connects the implant with the restoration, and a customized crown, bridge, or denture that sits on top.

Immediately after surgery, the process of osseointegration begins, causing the prosthetic to fuse with your jawbone. Ninety-five percent of the time, this process is successful. However, the other five percent can result in serious problems. Of course, not all dental implant failures occur immediately following placement. It can also happen years later.

Although it is unlikely you’ll experience problems with your dental implants, you should be mindful of the signs that point to an issue, such as:

  • Increasing pain around the implant that lasts for weeks
  • Swelling near the surgical site
  • Loose dental implant
  • Gum recession
  • Difficulty chewing

How a Professional Can Help

If suffering from a failed dental implant, your oral surgeon can be your biggest ally in helping to save your new smile. Using one of many techniques, you may be required to undergo periodontal therapy if peri-implantitis is the case. Eradicating the harmful oral bacteria is necessary but also, a bone graft may be required if you experience jawbone loss.

Your oral surgeon may also need to remove the dental implants in Dallas if facial trauma, failed osseointegration, or improper placement occurs. Once the gum tissues and bone fully heal, it may be possible to insert another dental implant.

Ways to Prevent Dental Implant Failure

If you don’t want to face any of these scenarios but instead, simply enjoy the new smile you’ve been provided, you’ll need to make sure you’re following these steps to keep your mouth in tip-top shape:

  • Maintain optimal oral hygiene habits. This includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing to minimize your risk of tooth decay, peri-implantitis, and other common oral health problems.
  • Continue to see your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings, as catching problems early on will allow for less invasive and complex procedures.
  • Stop smoking, as this bad habit not only negatively impacts your overall health, but it makes osseointegration much harder.
  • Watch what you eat, as too much sugar and starch can lead to problems with your healthy teeth and gums, and ultimately, put you at risk for dental implant failure.

Don’t let the fear of a possible problem keep you from embracing your new teeth. Take the necessary precautions to prevent failure and be mindful should something seem “off.” Getting in for an exam right away will put you in a better place to continue enjoying your healthier smile.

About the Author
Dr. Cameron Wendling is an oral surgeon with nearly a decade of experience. At Texas Wisdom Teeth, he and his team work hard to improve the health and well-being of all patients. When an individual arrives with a failed dental implant, he can implement effective techniques and strategies to prevent worsening conditions while helping to save the person’s smile. If you are unsure whether your new tooth is at risk for failure, contact us via the website or call (972) 960-1111.

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