Dental implants boast an incredibly high success rate of 98% after five years of placement and 78% after 20 years of placement. This is great news for those choosing to invest in their smile by receiving the procedure! However, there’s still a number of factors that weigh into the long-term success of your results, and in order to extend their lifespan, it’s important to recognize both the risk factors and signs of dental implant failure so you can take quick action. Read on to learn more about what you can expect if your dental implants fail and the best way to respond.
What is Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implant failure occurs when the dental implants don’t properly fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, or when a dental implant becomes unstable years down the road. This can occur for a variety of reasons, but it most commonly occurs due to an infection called peri-implantitis. This can lead to the erosion of the supportive structures of the dental implant, like the bone and gums around it, causing the implant to become loose and fail to support the restoration.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
Dental implant failure can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- An infection at the area of the mouth where the implants have been surgically placed
- Lack of implant stability
- Allergic reactions to titanium, which can include swelling, loss of taste, or a tingling sensation
- Difficulty chewing
- Gum recession, which makes the teeth appear longer
- Severe and lingering pain or discomfort
Signs of dental implant failure can occur either in the days and weeks directly following your dental implant placement, or years later, so it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene to keep bacteria at bay and prevent infection from occurring.
Dental Implant Failure Risk Factors
There are certain factors that can increase your risk of experiencing dental implant failure, including:
- Unprotected teeth grinding
- Poor oral hygiene
- Certain underlying, untreated medical conditions
- Taking certain medications that can affect osseointegration
- Smoking
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to discuss them with your dental implant dentist in Irving during your consultation. It’s not always the case that they impact your ability to get dental implants altogether, but it’s important for them to know so they can take precautions to boost your chances of long-term implant success.
What to Do if a Dental Implant is Failing
If you notice any of the signs of dental implant failure, the first step you should take is to call your implant dentist. They will examine your mouth and develop a treatment plan to make sure your smile stays healthy and intact. In some cases, the answer could be as simple as tightening the restoration, while other situations may require more extensive intervention.
Dental implants are a wonderful investment for countless patients, providing millions of people every year with the ability to smile with greater confidence due to their natural looking and feeling smiles. Keeping these signs and risk factors of dental implants in the back of your mind can help you take proactive action if you’re one of the few people that experience implant failure, increasing your chances of successful salvage!
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over a decade of experience and has helped hundreds of patients restore and rejuvenate their smile with dental implants over the years. He has specialty training in a number of treatments as well, making him the trusted, go-to provider for dental implants in Irving. To schedule an appointment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.