Are you worried about the failure rate of your dental implants? EON Clinics experts explain when dental implants go wrong, what can go wrong with tooth implants, and what to do to prevent implant failure. 

Dental implants have gained immense popularity over the years. The most obvious reason is its close resemblance to natural teeth. With good oral hygiene practices, implants can stay lifelong. To get dental implants, a patient needs surgery.

Unlike alternative solutions to missing teeth, the success rate of dental implant surgery is 95-98%. Implant patients can experience something wrong happening with their dental implants.

A dental implant is a first-rate lifetime solution to missing tooth or teeth. It is an option to completely restore an adult lost tooth, from its root to its visible crown. An implant system comprises a titanium fixture, an abutment, and an artificial tooth.

The titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial roots of the replacement tooth. It even acts as a strong foundation for replacement tooth/teeth: a crown, bridgework, or denture. An abutment is a connector piece linking the titanium post with the replacement tooth/teeth.   

Problems Occur After Dental Implant Surgery

Some possible things that can go wrong with dental implants include:

• Infection or inflammation at the implant site

The human body has an immune system that recognizes every artificial entry as foreign. The body can reject dental implants and increase the likelihood of getting an infection or inflammation. 

If the implant patients practice poor oral hygiene routines, they have more chances of getting an infection. The bacteria build-up at the implant site can cause severe infection. In such cases, the immune system may function to clear the infection. 

• Fractures

Implant patients having bad oral habits like teeth clenching and grinding can experience fractures of their implants. That’s possible due to pressure applied on the dental implants or incorrectly positioned implants. 

• Jawbone loss or poor osseointegration (a very rare possibility)

A dental implant needs enough jawbone to secure itself in place. A successful dental implant fuses to all sides of the natural jawbone. 

It stimulates the growth of the jawbone. The jawbone can continue to deteriorate due to poorly positioned dental implants. Jawbone loss is a consequence of an unattended or poorly treated tooth loss.

The placement of dental implants with lack of jawbone and poor osseointegration can lead to their failure. Osseointegration is a process wherein the implant fuses with the jawbone. Normally, this takes 2-4 months to get over.

• Nerve damage

Implant patients can face nerve damage either during or after implant surgery. It can cause tingling and pain in the gums, lips, and chin.

• Micro-movement of the implant

Unstable dental implants can lead to their micro-movements. This happens only when the replacement tooth is placed just after the implant surgery. One must wait for osseointegration to take place properly before placing an artificial tooth over the implant. 

• Allergic reaction

Dental implants are usually made of biocompatible titanium. This means the body should not reject the implant. If patients have an allergy to titanium and get titanium implants, it can cause implant failure. In such cases, implant specialists prefer using zirconium implants.  

The chances of experiencing any of the above-mentioned situations are minimal. 

Signs of Implant Failure

• Falling of dental implant
• Receding gums or their swelling
• Difficulty in chewing
• Intense pain
• Foul smell coming from the implant.

Reasons Behind the Failure of Dental Implants

Dental implants are meant to stay forever. Common reasons for their failure include:

Pre-existing periodontitis- Periodontitis or gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Its culprit is poor oral hygiene. Untreated gum disease can impact the tissue around the implant and lead to poor osseointegration. Patients with periodontitis can experience implant failure after getting implants. 

Underlying medical conditions- Diabetic patients can experience issues with healing post-implant surgery. Their implant site could inflame and even cause difficulty with osseointegration.

Smoking- Implant failure cases are high amongst smokers. Smoking can impair healing after implant surgery. It can indirectly lead to gums inflammation, and interrupt the integration of the implant and jawbone. 

How to Prevent Failure of Dental Implants?

Some causes of dental implant failure are unavoidable. Rarely, the implants may not properly fuse with the jawbone. One can ensure getting successful dental implants.

Here are some preventive measures:

Quit smoking– Smoking can cause great damage to teeth and gums. By stopping smoking, the implant site can get a chance to heal properly.

Take good oral care– Implant patients can prolong the life of their implants by taking care of them just like their real teeth. They must follow a good oral hygiene regimen. This includes brushing, flossing and using mouthwashes. Having regular dental check-ups is a must. 

Choose a qualified dentist– This means choosing a dental specialist who has extensive training, knowledge, and experience in performing implant surgery. A good implant specialist will best handle the dental needs of patients with missing teeth. The patients must seek an expert’s opinion for best outcomes.

 How EON Clinics Can Help?

If you have any dental implant issues, head to EON Clinics implant specialists today. They understand when dental implants go wrong and how unnerving the implant problems can be. To treat you, they may replace implants or perform bone/gum grafting, as the case may be. The qualified experts at EON Clinics can guide you better from pre-surgery to post-surgical care. 

EON Clinics helps Chicago patients find the best destination for receiving affordable top-quality dental implants and related care. For patients seeking new dental implants, implant specialists will explain the possible risks of implant surgery.

There will be a detailed discussion about implant surgery at your initial consultation at EON Clinics. One can make a well-informed decision about getting dental implants.