With a 95% success rate, dental implants continue to be the preferred method of treatment for millions of patients suffering from tooth loss. Offering what many other solutions cannot – a root-to-crown replacement that can potentially last a lifetime – patients rarely experience complications or issues once they are in place. However, should the small chance of a failed dental implant occur, our team at Elite Oral Surgery Associates can help. Give us a call to find out how we can help by providing dental implant salvage in our Worcester office.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
There are several reasons why a dental implant might fail, such as:
- Peri-implantitis
- A weakened immune system
- Improper placement
- Facial trauma
- Failed osseointegration
The most common of those listed above is peri-implantitis. Similar to traditional gum disease, bacteria attack the area surrounding your implant and eventually cause problems for the post and underlying jawbone. The other most common reason is failed osseointegration, which can occur if you smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol after your procedure.
Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants
If a dental implant fails, it can happen shortly after surgery, or it may not occur for many years. While some of the symptoms may not immediately cause you to think there is a problem, it’s best to know what to look for just in case:
- A loose dental implant
- Pus on the gums near the dental implant
- Difficulty eating or chewing
- Swelling or bleeding near the implant
- Discomfort that doesn’t go away after your implant surgery
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
Should you discover that you’re experiencing one or more of the symptoms associated with dental implant failure, it’s important to call our office right away. Once we get you in for an appointment, you can expect our team of professionals to begin examining your mouth and taking digital images to pinpoint the reason for implant failure.
Depending on the culprit, we may suggest antibiotics for an infection, deep cleaning for peri-implantitis or a possible bone graft. These proven methods allow us to target the problem area and save your dental implant(s). However, it’s essential that you get in to see us sooner rather than later, as waiting too long will only lead to costly dental care.
If we find that the implant or tissue is severely damaged, our team may recommend that the implant be removed. This will allow us to administer appropriate treatment so that your mouth can properly heal. Only then can we begin to discuss the option of replacing the dental implant.
