Being ideal replacements for teeth, dental implants can change a person’s life for the better. Since they can replace a broken tooth, millions of adults are turning to this type of restorative dental surgery. As per the American Dental Association (ADA), implant dentistry is performed more than 5 million times per year. Additionally, the body emphasized the numerous advantages linked with this medical technique⁠—one being able to function the same as natural teeth. Although it has a 98% of success rate, there are still rare cases where certain aspects contribute to dental implant failure.

Reasons for Dental Implant Surgery Failure

You shouldn’t feel any pressure nor there should be any scarring after a successful recovery. Albeit a rare scenario, failure in dental implant surgery can still happen. However, there are still certain factors that affect the success rate of an implant procedure such as:

  • Bone loss – A lot of patients, who have undergone front tooth extraction or have experienced tooth loss and didn’t immediately get an implant even after the healing process has been completed, suffer from bone loss.
  • Failed OsseointegrationThis condition is when the implant wasn’t able to successfully fuse with the jaw bone. The rate and extent of osseointegration of dental implants can be influenced by a variety of factors. Osseointegration may not occur if bruxism occurs frequently during the recovery process, causing the dental implant to fail.
  • Peri-implantitisThis is a type of gum disease or infection where the soft and hard tissues are inflamed which eventually results in the decay of the bone around the implant. For peri-implant bone grafting in the upper posterior maxilla, the buccal fat pad was well accepted by patients according to certain studies, with a high implant success rate and low peri-implant marginal bone loss at 12 months of prosthetic loading.
  • Misalignment of the implant – Situations when misaligning an implant can happen when implant placement was not properly done. It can lead to crooked crowns and receding gums (dental skin graft can treat gum recession, however). Parts or components of the implant post are also visible. When an implant is placed at an incorrect angle, angled abutments or screw channels can be used to assist in rectifying it.
  • Low quality materials – An implant made of poor materials is bound to result in a loose dental implant, may crack, or become damaged faster. Moreover, the size and shape may not fit.
  • Body rejection – There’s a chance for side effects when foreign objects are inserted into one’s body. Certain conditions, like a person suffering from allergies to certain materials, contribute to the body rejecting the implant. It is crucial to consult with your dentist to ensure the proper materials for you are used.

Failed Implant to Bone Bond

Dental implant treatment, wherein the missing tooth root is replaced with a screw like titanium post proving a strong foundation for replacement teeth, is typically anticipated to be successful. Regardless of whether it’s a single tooth or full arch implant surgery, as long as the implant specialist is skilled, each procedure will be successful. Nevertheless, problems may happen such as the failure of the fusion between the implant and the jawbone. This happens when the implants are not properly placed on the jawbone. This complication leads to the exposure of the abutmentthe piece wherein a dental crown will be installedand may result in infections and a loose implant. Regardless of the food restrictions during the recovery period, if the implant failed to bond with the jaw bone, then the patient will face challenges when it comes to eating foods.

Insufficient Bone Density

Boniva, Actonel, or Fosamax are some of the medicines that may prevent the jawbone from healing properly once the implant placement has been performed. Patients who are taking these medicines or any other medication for osteoporosis are advised to consult with their doctors first.

Infection

Due to lack of dental hygiene, dental implant maintenance, smoking, thin gums, poor immune system, and diseases like diabetes, peri implantitis may occur. This situation belongs to one of the many types of periodontal diseases. It is caused by bacteria and food particles that build up around dental implants and gum lines over time resulting in plaque or tooth decay. It causes redness in the gums that anchor the implant. Moreover, it can lead to bone loss.

By recognizing the problem earlier, the implant can be saved through antibiotic therapy. However, symptoms of peri-implantitis may grow unnoticed for months or even years. Luckily, Dr. Manali Patel DDS, one of the top implant specialists in Huntington Beach, is skilled in utilizing numerous techniques that improve the dental implant’s strength and stability to prevent this kind of difficulty from happening.

Signs of Peri-implantitis

  • Unusual bleeding of the gums
  • Pus coming from the gumline
  • Soreness in the gums
  • Irritation or pain in the gums
  • Inflammation on the lymph nodes or soft tissues
  • Loosening of the dental implant posts
  • Bad breath
  • Bone loss

Nerve or Tissue Damage

The position of the titanium implant must be correct to prevent deformation of the tooth’s structure and any injury to the sinus cavities, blood vessels, and nerves. There will be discomfort and even bleeding after the procedure. Alongside swelling, bruising is a possible side effect of injections and incisions for certain people. As a result, swelling and even bruising around the jaws, cheeks, mouth, eyes, as well as sides of the face are common following implant surgery. However, if the bleeding, swelling, toothache, or others persists, then you must visit a periodontist immediately to determine the cause.

Sinus Problems

When drilling a hole in the sinus cavities to change the implants on the upper front teeth, small complications may occur. During surgery, the implant may protrude if not fixed correctly. This may result in the infection of the sinuses. To prevent this problem, bone grafting is the solution. Grafting implements a shield between the implant and the sinus cavity and offers a more firm base for the implant. The downtime of bone grafting typically lasts from 2 weeks to 2 months.

Are you planning to get dental implants but still hesitating to make a decision? We at Harbor Smiles located in Huntington Beach, CA use dental implants approved by FDA and state-of-the-art machine, tools, and advanced technology including x-rays, digital radiography as well as CT scans to ensure that the tooth implant is properly secured. If you’re concerned about aesthetics, dental implant cement is a better choice compared to screw-retained implants. This is because when the prosthesis is cemented directly to the implant abutment, there is no need for an access hole. The end result resembles a natural tooth more closely. 

Our dental office is also proficient in repairing dental implants. Give us a call and we will provide satisfactory answers to your questions or anything that are concerning you. We also offer bridges as an alternative restoration option.

Chipped Implant Crown Repair

Remove your bad habits and practice proper oral hygiene. By doing so, a dental crown can last from 5 to 15 years. Proper dental hygiene practices such as brushing your teeth, using a water flosser, as well as rinsing your mouth are essential for the maintenance of your oral health and significantly improve the lifetime of your dental crown. Just like natural teeth, the levels of dental hygiene you need to do are similar to crowns. Regular checkups with a dentist are also advised for better management of your dental health. A chipped tooth crown must be changed right away to prevent any trauma to the implant. In certain instances where there is a sensation where you sense discomfort or pain, a common but effective home remedy is an ice pack. Put it on the affected areas. You can also take pain medication something like ibuprofen or massage your gums to relieve the pain.

Teeth Implant Repairs Nearby

Get your dental implant repaired at Harbor Smiles! Our skilled team of dentists and friendly staff provides excellent dental implant restorations and is well-informed in preoperative and post-op implant care, periodontics, and dental care. We will first do an examination on you in order to determine whether you are an eligible candidate for dental implant surgery. After being given the green light, we will then proceed with the procedure. Although almost everyone always has the idea of pain accompanying a surgery, you do not have to mind about experiencing such pain because we will use a suitable amount of anesthesia. This painless injection will be applied all throughout the tooth replacement process. We are very eager to meet you, provide you with a comfortable implant experience, help you achieve your healthy smile goals, improve your appearance, and gain your confidence back! We also offer partial dentures, another great tooth replacement option.

Dental implants may be among the most expensive replacement teeth treatments today but when you think about the risk of developing problems that missing teeth may cause—such as sagging facial musclesand the expenses associated to treat them, placing an investment on implants is worth it, especially in the long run. Fortunately, many insurance providers are now covering a portion of the total cost of implant services which, in turn, greatly helps save some of your money and significantly contributes to the reduction of your expenditure. Talk to your insurance provider to check if dental implant coverage is included in your plan. Meanwhile, our practice is affiliated with trusted insurance companies and lenders including CareCredit, which accepts the majority of PPOs. We also provide an interest-free, in-house payment plan which is a great alternative option for paying your treatment costs. Our benefits administrator will fully assist you to guarantee your benefits are used efficiently and file your insurance on your behalf so you won’t have to deal with the steps of insurance filing. Call our contact number to know more about our payment options, other ways to save money, or if you have other questions. We are here to help answer your inquiries.

Schedule an Appointment for an implant fixture!

Make an appointment for our expert to take a look at your Implants for issues.

In need of an implant repair? Our Harbor Smiles office has a good reputation for successfully fixing dental implant failure so you can be at ease. We are looking forward to meeting and helping you fix dental implants as well as assisting with your dental implant restoration. We place high importance on catering to your dental needs and take passion in what we do. You may schedule a consultation and visit our dentist’s office to know more information about us, dental implants repair options, its estimate range of treatment cost, the difference between all-on-4 implants versus traditional implants, step by step implant lab procedures, emergency dental implants, surface treatment, as well as our other restorative dental procedures like dental bridge and denture.

Sources: