Early Dental Implant Failure; Signs and Risk Factors
By: Dr. Rajan Sharma
Early dental implant failure has been observed in some patients. However, it’s a fraction of the millions of successful dental implant surgeries conducted every year in America. Going by the success rate, dental implant surgery is quite a simple procedure without any adverse side effects. Also, complications could arise due to multiple factors like a wrong dental treatment plan, poor oral hygiene, and existing medical conditions. so, In today’s article, we will discuss the signs of early dental implant failure and the factors causing it.
Signs of early dental implant failure
There are common signs of early dental implant failure in patients.
- A severe bout of pain & discomfort
- Gums swelling or inflammation
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- The implant getting loose or moving
- Allergic Reactions
Reasons behind early dental implant failure
Poor dental implant quality
A dental implant is made of Titanium and is quite comparable to natural teeth in terms of strength and appearance. But, in some cases, the implant becomes loose and starts moving post-surgery. Now, this could happen because of the inferior quality of materials used in dental implants.
Nerve damage
Nerve damage is a rare reason behind early dental implant failure. Moreover, this would happen if the implant is placed close to the nerves in the mouth. Importantly, the dentist must place the implant perfectly without damaging nerves.
Peri-implantitis
One of the leading causes of dental implant failure is Peri-implantitis. Essentially, this is an inflammatory response affecting the soft and hard tissues affecting the region near the implant’s location. In extreme cases, Peri-implantitis can lead to bone loss or implant failure. Further, this is observed in people with history of diabetes, poor oral hygiene, and smoking.
Dental Implant’s misalignment
The most important part of the surgery is the correct alignment of a dental implant. The dental implant must be fully surrounded by bones but the ideal position would depend on the patient’s evaluation. The receding of gums and titanium implant’s metal would become visible if the alignment isn’t proper.
Allergic reaction
Allergy reaction is observed whenever a foreign material comes into the body. In the case of dental implants, there are chances of localized allergy reactions happening. One should inform their dentist if they have any existing allergies. This would help the dentist in crafting the right dental implant surgery treatment plan.
What to do if one suspects a dental implant failure?
Firstly, one should immediately consult a dentist in case of post-dental implant surgery complications. Now, It’s quite possible to treat an infection without removing the implant. Importantly, minor side-effects are observed in the initial 2-3 weeks after dental implant surgery. However, there have been periodic or rate instances of implant failure. In conclusion, it’s important to schedule a free consultation with dental clinics near you. Also, one can check eligibility for dental implant surgery.