What happens when the dental implant fails?

A failed dental implant is easily removed under local anesthesia. If an implant needs to be replaced, it will be removed and the area will be gently cleaned.

What happens when the dental implant fails?

A failed dental implant is easily removed under local anesthesia. If an implant needs to be replaced, it will be removed and the area will be gently cleaned. If the bone is intact around the area of the removed implant, no bone grafting will be necessary. When bone doesn't grow properly around an implant, the main sign is usually mobility.

At first, the movement may be mild and only recognizable by a dentist, but over time, an implant that hasn't been integrated will feel wobbly and might move when you chew or talk. A failed implant will move consistently. There are certain reasons why your dental implant may fail, but the most common reason is “osseointegration. It is a process in which the implant does not adhere properly to the jaw.

A good indication that the implant may be failing is when inflammation occurs in the bone surrounding the implant. Without repairing a defective dental implant, it can lead to localized and widespread inflammation and infection. This can lead to significant bone loss, which reduces the success of implants in the future. An infection may also require antibiotics to prevent systemic infection and medical complications.

Dental implant surgery can be an immediate success, and complications don't develop until years later. Many dentists will discuss their fees upfront so you know the costs if you need to fix a dental implant. The incidence of this is more common in inexperienced dental implant dentists or when the dentist does not use treatment planning as part of their practice. Before choosing a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, it is important to look at all the factors that can affect the success of your implant.

It is estimated that between 5 and 10 percent of dental implants fail, either shortly after a procedure or months or years later. While natural teeth can technically move with gentle pressure, implants should not feel loose, wobbly, or fall out at all. Failure of dental implants is a possibility if you are diagnosed with autoimmune disease or conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, which cause your body to heal at a slower rate. Compared to most procedures, this is a low failure rate and dental implants are usually worth the risk.

We have compiled the possible procedures you can perform in case you face a dental implant failure. If you experience any of the above symptoms after the implant has healed, call your dentist to begin implant treatment as soon as possible. It is important to discuss the reasons for failure with your dental professional prior to implant placement. When the implant does not align with the bone, the crowns may appear unnatural, the gums may recede, and the dark gray metal of the implant is visible around the gum.

Although failure of dental implants is rare, it can happen even if the surgeon took all the extreme precautions and used the most innovative techniques. The ability to practice good oral hygiene after a dental implant also has an impact on the success rate. Fortunately, defective implants can be treated quickly, but keep in mind that if your dentist needs to protect your oral health, they will remove the implant completely to do so. Usually, once the reason for the failed implant is discovered, a new implant can be placed and have a high success rate.