Before investing in any treatment, whether that’s a dental filling or dental implants, it’s important to understand the risks involved and be informed about how the procedures work. As a modern, gold standard for replacing missing teeth, dental implants utilize the latest and greatest techniques and technology to yield lifelike results. However, there’s a slim 2% chance that dental implant failure could occur. Although rare, it’s a good idea to understand how it occurs and what you can do to avoid it, which you can learn more about by reading below.
What is Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implant failure can occur either soon after their surgical placement, or years down the road. Its top cause is an infection that develops, called peri-implantitis, which affects the soft and hard supportive tissues of the dental implants. When harmful oral bacteria develop in the form of plaque or debris along the gumline, an infection can form that leads to the erosion of these tissues, ultimately leading to the failure of the dental implant.
Dental implant failure can also occur due to:
- Not enough jawbone support
- Allergic reaction to titanium
- Small movements that prevent the integration within the jawbone
- Poor post-operative maintenance
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
People can experience a wide range of symptoms due to dental implant failure. The most common ones include:
- A loose restoration or dental implant
- Pain while chewing
- Swollen gums
- Gum recession that allows you to see the dental implant
If you notice any of these symptoms, whether it’s a week after your dental implant surgery or years down the line, it’s crucial to contact your implant dentist in Richmond as soon as possible to receive an examination.
How to Avoid Dental Implant Failure
If you’re concerned about dental implant failure or have an increased risk of it, there are some precautionary steps you can take to prevent it. Some of these include:
- Protect your teeth from grinding by investing in a customized nightguard.
- Avoid smoking before and after your dental implant placement.
- Follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions.
- Maintain good dental hygiene at home and visit your dentist for bi-annual checkups and cleanings.
- Avoid eating excessively hard foods.
- Protect your mouth if you participate in sports.
Although the thought of dental implant failure can sound scary and even cause you to think twice about receiving the treatment, it’s important to understand that dental implants have a 98% success rate after five years of placement. This means that with proper post-operative hygiene and curbing your bad habits, it’s likely that you won’t have to experience this complication!
About the Practice
At Brown, Reynolds, Snow, LeNoir Dentistry, our team is comprised of five highly skilled dentists with countless years of experience and hours of training between them. Due to our team’s wide breadth of skills, we’re able to offer virtually every dental treatment you will need in-house, including the latest services to replace missing teeth. To learn more about how we can restore your smile, visit our website or call 804-288-5324 to schedule a consultation.