If you are looking for a permanent tooth replacement to avoid the inconvenience of having to look after dentures slipping while you bite or chew or placing glue to keep them in place, dental implant surgery is a viable option for you. Though there are other alternatives, such as dental bridges, dental implants offer a permanent solution that provides you with the same function and feels as healthy teeth.
However, despite the higher success rate of dental implant procedures, there will always be a risk of dental implant failure. To understand the mechanism of dental implant failure, you must first understand what is a dental implant and how dental implants are implemented.
Introduction: Dental Implant Procedures
A dental implant procedure is a complicated process involving multiple visits to a dentist or an oral surgeon. Once your dentist thoroughly examines, they will consider many factors to ensure that your dental implants have no issues. The procedure will involve installing the dental implant into your jawbone and letting it fuse for a few months. An abutment is put in place to prepare the implant to take in the crown. Once ready, the crown is put in place and secured by dental screws.
Note that the stability and durability of dental implants rely on good oral health and having strong and healthy bone where the implants are. The risk of dental implant failure lies in either undermining the bone due to pressure or disease. Moreover, bad oral hygiene will expose dental implants to the same problem that caused tooth loss in the first place, such as tooth decay and gum disease, or problems specific to dental implants, such as peri-implant diseases.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you may need to visit your dentist immediately to check for dental implant failure:
- Gum Inflammation or Gum Disease around the plant area.
- Dental Implant Feeling Loose: This could be caused by the crown not being adequately affixed to the implant.
- Difficulty Chewing: This might be caused by the dental implant not being in the proper position. Nerve damage may also be an underlying cause.
- Swelling: You may expect swelling right after dental implant surgery that may last up to three days. However, dental implant failure might be present if the swelling lasts longer because this is one of the primary dental implant infection signs.
- Pain or Discomfort, especially a week after dental implant surgery
What Are The Most Common Causes of Dental Impact Failure?
Dental implants may fail in two ways. The onset of failure may occur right after dental implant surgery. The causes could be problems with the process of osseointegration or the procedure itself. The reasons for later implant failure are the pressure placed on the artificial tooth or oral health conditions. As for the details, here are the most common causes of dental implant problems and failure:
Allergic Reaction:
Though rare, some people are allergic to titanium. The allergic reaction manifests itself through the onset of Hives, Eczema, or Edema (swelling) in the mouth. There are instances of patients experiencing foreign body rejection once the implants are in place.
Teeth Grinding
The pressure placed by teeth grinding early in the process will affect the process of osseointegration. By being pressured while being unstable, there won’t be a chance for the implant to fuse into the jaw bone.
Infection
Infection on the gum tissue around the dental implant area will cause peri-implant diseases leading to failure. The bacteria in the mouth will attack the abutment and cause irritation and damage to the tissue around the implant area.
Poor Dental Impressions
Should the artificial tooth not fit in the area of the missing teeth between the surrounding natural teeth, either being too loose or too tight may cause implant failure.
Nerve Damage
Dental implant surgery is a delicate procedure. If the surrounding nerves get damaged or impacted, this may lead to persistent pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in the mouth.
Bone Support Problems
Insufficient strength of the maxilla (the upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw bone) may be caused by trauma or fracture, periodontal disease, or other chronic health conditions such as osteoporosis. The resulting bone support issues will make it difficult for most dental implants to become more stable to take on the pressure of normal biting or chewing, leading to failure.
Micromovement of the Implant
The position of the implant experiences slight shifts during the process of osseointegration, especially in the first two weeks when the abutment is newly installed and is vulnerable to pressure.
Medical Conditions and Poor Oral Hygiene
Your body needs to be good enough to take on dental implants. However, certain diseases will make it challenging for your bones to be stable enough to hold dental implants. Though implant dentistry includes procedures to counteract specific conditions, such as using bone grafting, several diseases may cause dental implant failures:
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Poor oral health can also cause diseases that will affect dental implants, such as gingivitis and periodontal diseases.
Inexperienced Surgeon
Though rare, the complexity of the dental implant procedure and dental implant treatment leaves so much room for mistakes. For instance, an oral surgeon might inadvertently place the abutment poorly or may cause damage to the surrounding tissues and bone during dental implant surgery.
How to Prevent Dental Implant Problems?
To prevent dental implant failure, you must follow your oral surgeon’s or dentist’s instructions. It would help if you didn’t stop following their instructions strictly after the dental implant process. It would be best if you continuously practiced good oral hygiene:
- making regular dental appointments for check-ups and cleaning,
- brushing properly at least twice a day,
- flossing once a day,
- and not smoking or drinking alcohol and eat soft foods, especially within three to four months of the dental implant procedure.
Takeaways: For Trouble-free Dental Implants, Having a Dependable Dentist Goes a Long Way
Considering how much dental implant cost is in terms of time and resources, it pays to ensure that you find a dentist that will ensure that you won’t have a problem with your dental implants. Deciding on dental implants shouldn’t be taken lightly, and it pays to have the best dental advice constantly to prevent bad dental implants. Dr. Harman is a long-time practitioner in dental implant surgery. Dr. Harman is also a dependable dental professional if you are looking for the best dental care, dental surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and specialized dental treatments for your entire family. To know more about the latest dental implant procedures and other dental concerns in Phoenix, call us at (602) 840-5300.
