Dental implants are a great option to replace one or more missing teeth. Strong, beautiful, and natural-looking, these sturdy dental restorations act like natural teeth, actually improving the health of you underlying bone. But what happens when things don’t go as planned? Although complications are rare, it’s important to recognize dental implant failure symptoms. Here’s the most common.

Why do dental implant failures occur?

Dental implants are a dental restoration that have many benefits.

For this procedure, a titanium post acts like a tooth root that is implanted in the jawbone itself. Topping the post is something called an abutment. This abutment receives a dental crown, the replacement tooth.

As the area of the implant heals, your jawbone actually attaches itself to the titanium post. This helps the implant to not only feel like a real tooth but also assists in growing more healthy bone. It’s a win-win.

Except when it doesn’t work that way. Dental implant failure occurs in approximately 5-10% of implants. Consider that an estimated five million implants are placed annually in the U.S. Dental implant failure is fairly rare for the numbers performed but does occur.

So why do dental implant failures occur?

Bruxism

Bruxism is a common cause of dental implant failure. Although the action of chewing on the implant is beneficial to building bone, the excessive pressure of teeth grinding and jaw clenching places too much stress on the implant.

When combined with gum disease, bruxism is arguably the most common reason for dental implant failure.

Other medical conditions

Osteoporosis that weakens and degrades bone can also make it challenging for the titanium post to find anchor in the jaw bone. Some medications increase this affect as well. Antidepressants can slow or limit bone growth. People undergoing radiation therapy in the head and neck may also see a weakening of the bone that affects the implant.

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes may also have the possibility of dental implant failure increase.

Lifestyle habits

Smokers with any of these factors will also see their chances of dental implant failure increase. Smoking weakens bones, decreases blood flow, and generally inhibits proper healing.

Finally, a successful dental implant procedure can be undercut by poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to a variety of dental issues, including but not limited to dental implant failure.

Dental implant failure can happen to anyone, but you improve your chances of long-lasting, comfortable, and beautiful implants by working with a highly qualified dentist and watching out for the following symptoms.

Four dental implant failure symptoms

If you recognize your dental implant failure symptoms early, you may be able to avoid or prevent more serious complications and improve your changes for a successful recovery.

Contact your dentist if you notice any of these dental implant failure symptoms to watch for.

1. Movement

One of the first signs of dental implant failure is movement in the implant.

Although some slight movement is normal as the jawbone grows around the implant, excessive movement or movement that increases is not. Similarly, if your implant has been in place for a while and begins moving, talk to your dentist.

2. Infection

Dental implant infection can prevent healing and bonding of the titanium post to the jawbone. Signs of infection include:

  • Redness
  • Discharge around the implant
  • Excessive bleeding (or bleeding that comes and goes)
  • Fever

You may also have a general feeling of being unwell, and the lymph nodes in your neck may be sore and swollen.

3. Pain

Although there can be some soreness associated with a healing dental implant, pain that lingers or is not relieved with an over-the-counter medication is a cause for concern.

Likewise, pain that goes away and then comes back without any traceable cause can also be a sign of implant failure.

4. X-rays

You want your X-rays to be as boring as possible. X-rays that show bone loss or other complications around the titanium post can often confirm dental implant failure.

Can a failed dental implant be replaced?

The short answer to the question of whether or not a failed dental implant can be replaced is also the most frustrating one: it depends.

For dental implants that fail due to a treatable infection that is caught early, dental implant replacement is as simple as removing the implant, treating the infection, and placing the implant again.

With other causes of dental implant failure, replacement is often possible but not as simple.

For thinning or weakened bone that leads to dental implant failure, a dental bone graft procedure may be necessary. This takes healthy bone from either another area of your body (like the hip) or a cadaver (less common) and places it on the unstable bone. Eventually, the graft integrates itself into the weaker bone and builds strength and new bone. Once the dental bone graft is complete, your dental surgeon can place a new dental implant.

Patients with underlying health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, excessively poor oral hygiene, or undergoing cancer treatment may only see limited success with dental implants. Because the chances of failure are higher, these patients may want to consider other treatment options, such as:

While removable dentures are not as stable as dental implants and need to be adjusted over time, if dental implants are not an option, newer materials and better technology make them more comfortable and natural-looking than ever.

Get help

For dental implants in Scottsdale, AZ Dentist has the experience and skill you need to make sure your dental implants last.

If you already have signs of dental implant failure, we are also an emergency dentist, open on weekends to help.

For all of your dental implant needs, give AZ Dentist a call today!

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