Dental implant procedures are highly successful and have a positive completion rate of approximately 98 percent. However, dental implant failure can still happen due to various factors. But what should you do if a dental implant fails? In this article, we will discuss how a periodontal dentist can help in this situation.
What To Do If A Dental Implant Fails
The first thing you should do when a dental implant fails is to make an appointment with your dental implant specialist or with a periodontal dentist. In some cases, it is possible to repair a broken implant, but in others, it might be necessary to remove the old metal post and replace it with a new one. Whether a failed implant can be restored will depend on the cause of failure and the condition of your oral health—particularly the gum tissue and the jaw bone.
If a part of the implant’s crown breaks off, collect the broken pieces and bring them to the dental office. Your dentist might be able to restore the crown using its broken-off parts. However, this is not always possible, and sometimes, the crown will need to be replaced.
Causes for Dental Implant Failure
There are several reasons why your dental implant might fail:
- The metal post does not sufficiently fuse with the jawbone. If an implant fails for this reason, failure will typically occur soon after the dental implant placement surgery.
- The position of the dental implant is incorrect, leading to uneven force distribution in the mouth when chewing.
- The jawbone density is insufficient to support the implant and keep it secured in place.
- Gum disease—chronic infection of the gum tissue—makes the gums too weak to support the implant.
- Peri-implant disease, the infection and swelling of the tissue surrounding the implant, occurs.
- The implant abutment or connector becomes loose or broken.
- There is excessive pressure and wear on the implant caused by teeth grinding, also called bruxism.
Treatment Methods for Dental Implant Failure
Treatment methods for dental implant failure depend on whether it is a short-term or long-term failure.
Short-term Failure
Short-term failure is also called early dental implant failure and usually happens within four months after the implant is placed. Early failure can happen if a patient:
- Has uncontrolled diabetes or other health issues
- Smokes
- Has low jaw bone density or untreated gum disease
Other reasons for early implant failure include:
- Improper implant position
- The location of the implant
- Poor quality of the inappropriate type of implant fixtures
Long-term Failure
Failure of a dental implant after it has already fused with the jaw bone is called long-term failure. It can occur if:
- Peri-implantitis develops due to insufficient oral hygiene.
- The parts of the implant become loose or break due to the implant’s initial insufficient quality or uneven biting force distribution.
- Jaw bone density decreases due to various health-connected reasons.
In most cases, treatment methods for a dental implant failure typically include removing the implant and treating gum disease or peri-implantitis or using bone grafts to improve jaw bone density. Then, some time is allowed for the surgery site to heal, after which the new implant is placed in the optimal location.
How to Reduce the Risk of Dental Implant Failure
Unfortunately, some of the causes of dental implant failure are out of the patient’s control. However, one can follow these rules to improve the chance of the dental implant’s survival:
- Choose the dental implant specialist carefully. Read the reviews for the doctor from other patients who have already undergone the procedure. Check if the doctor has all the necessary qualifications and certification. A good specialist seeks constant improvement of their knowledge and methods.
- Be responsible during the implant healing process and follow all your doctor’s recommendations. Abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol, eating hard, chewy, or sticky foods, etc.
- Maintain impeccable oral hygiene to prevent pre-implantitis or gum disease. Brush and floss your teeth every day and visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups.
- Protect your teeth and implants from trauma with a mouthguard when playing sports.
- Seek professional help if you have bruxism, uncontrolled teeth grinding, or clenching while sleeping. This condition can severely strain and damage the implants. There are several ways of treating bruxism, including wearing a mouthguard at night.
Make an Appointment Today
Do not hesitate to sign up for an appointment at David Kao DDS today to get top-quality and reliable dental implants in Los Angeles. If you are experiencing any issues with your existing dental implants, our specialists will conduct a comprehensive examination to determine the root of the problem and offer you an effective treatment plan. We look forward to welcoming you to our dental office.
