Dental implants are considered to be the most cutting-edge treatment for adults struggling with tooth loss. By replacing missing tooth roots, implants offer a stable foundation for various dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Before achieving full functionality in restoring the bite, dental implants must integrate with the patient’s jawbone tissues. This critical process, known as osseointegration, is fundamental to the success of dental implants.
Although dental implants boast a high success rate of 98 percent, failures can still occur. To minimize the risk of implant failure, let’s take a look at how to avoid dental implant failure.
Causes of Dental Implant Failure
Before knowing how to avoid dental implant failure, it is important to know what causes it in the first place.
- Poor Bone Quality: Insufficient bone density or volume can hinder the implant’s stability.
- Infection: Bacterial infection around the implant site (peri-implantitis) can lead to severe bone loss and implant failure.
- Gum Disease: Pre-existing or untreated gum disease can affect the health of the tissues supporting the implant.
- Poor Placement: Incorrect positioning of the implant during surgery can affect its integration and long-term stability.
- Surgical Trauma: Damage to surrounding tissues or nerves during implant placement can compromise healing.
- Smoking: Tobacco use can impair healing and increase the risk of infection and implant failure.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate oral care can lead to bacterial buildup and inflammation around the implant.
- Medical Conditions: Certain systemic conditions or medications may interfere with the healing process.
- Overloading: Excessive pressure or force on the implant, especially during the early healing phase, can lead to failure.
- Allergic Reactions: Though rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to implant materials.
- Implant Design: In rare cases, issues with the design or quality of the implant components can contribute to failure.
Signs & Symptoms of Implant Failure
- Continuous or worsening discomfort near the implant location, possibly signaling inflammation or infection.
- Swelling or tenderness of the gums surrounding the implant, often accompanied by swelling or redness.
- The implant feels loose or moves when touched, which can suggest a lack of integration with the bone (osseointegration failure).
- Receding gums around the implant, exposing more of the implant structure.
- Drainage of pus or fluid from around the implant, a sign of infection.
- Challenges in biting or chewing food, which may indicate instability or discomfort.
- Unpleasant taste or odor around the implant site, often associated with infection.
- Visible changes in the implant area, such as changes in gum color or shape.
- Significant bone loss around the implant, visible on dental X-rays.
- Overall discomfort or a feeling that something is not right with the implant area.
Top 5 Tips on How to Avoid Dental Implant Failure
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is imperative for knowing how to avoid dental implant failure.
This involves consistent brushing and flossing, using mouthwash, and scheduling regular dental checkups. While many dental implants fail shortly after surgery due to poor oral hygiene, this factor can also lead to implant failures years later.
Be a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
Just because you want to get a dental implant doesn’t mean that you should. There are certain eligibility criteria that you must have to get dental implants, such as good overall health, healthy gums, sufficient bone tissue, and the right age. Getting implants despite not being eligible can lead to implant failure.
Stick to Soft Foods
It is important that patients take all the necessary steps to avoid disturbing their dental implants during the healing phase. Even biting down on solid foods can be detrimental during the initial stages of recovery, disrupting the osseointegration process. Dentists recommend that patients adhere to a diet of liquids and soft foods for at least the first few weeks following their dental implant procedure.
Choose the Right Dentist
When searching for a dentist, selecting one with expertise in dental implants is crucial. Not all dentists specialize in implant surgery, and their experience can vary. Therefore, it’s advisable to inquire about their experience and qualifications before scheduling an appointment. Opting for a qualified dentist is key to avoiding implant failure caused by incorrect implant placement.
Follow All Post-Operative Instructions
Make sure to follow your dentist’s post-treatment guidelines, which may involve:
- Refraining from touching the implant or anything that might irritate it.
- Consuming only soft foods and liquids during the initial days after surgery.
- Minimizing swelling by applying an ice pack to the cheek near the implant area.
- Taking prescribed antibiotics, if recommended.
- Resting adequately and avoiding strenuous physical activities.
Takeaway
Implant failure can result from various factors, but knowing how to avoid implant failure and taking proactive measures can allow you to prevent these factors.
Selecting a qualified dentist and carefully adhering to their post-surgery guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of implant failure. Maintaining good oral hygiene is also crucial for the long-term health and functionality of your implants.
For further details on how to avoid dental implant failure, you can reach out to the experts at ProGrace Dentistry.
Contact us today at 587-418-8462 or 403-288-8080.
FAQs
What is the most common cause of implant failure?
The most common cause of dental implant failure is peri-implantitis, or implant infection. This condition is often caused by bacterial infection, leading to bone loss around the implant if not treated promptly and effectively. Other common causes include poor bone quality or density, improper implant placement, and patient-related factors such as smoking or inadequate oral hygiene.
Can a failed implant heal?
Whether a failed dental implant can heal depends on the specific reason for the failure and the extent of damage to surrounding tissues. In cases where the implant has not integrated properly with the bone (osseointegration failure), early intervention and appropriate treatment may allow the implant to be salvaged. However, if the implant has been severely compromised or there is significant bone loss, it may need to be removed.
