Dental implants are the gold standard when it comes to replacing teeth—and it’s estimated that over 5 million implants are placed annually! Once placed, they’re capable of restoring pearly whites in terms of looks and functionality. But despite an impressive 95% success rate, dental implants are still susceptible to issues that might cause them to fail. Here’s a brief overview of dental implant failure and some signs that might indicate it’s occurring, so that if you have dental implants, you can quickly seek the help you need!
A Closer Look at Dental Implant Failure
Dental implant failure refers to when an implant is no longer able to function as intended within the patient’s mouth, due to an issue with one or more of its three components. These include the posts, which are surgically embedded directly into the patient’s jawbone, the abutments that are placed on top of the implant posts, and the replacement teeth, which include a customized dental restoration designed specifically for the patient’s smile that’s connected to the top of the abutments. If just one of these parts becomes loose, broken, damaged, or compromised in some other way, dental implant failure becomes a very real possibility.
Reasons for Dental Implant Failure
Dental implant failure is usually classified as either early failure, which occurs within the first few months of the procedure, or late failure, which develops years after the implants are placed. Early failure occurs if osseointegration, the process where implant posts fuse with the patient’s jawbone, doesn’t happen as expected. If the bone doesn’t grow properly around the implant post, the implant won’t remain sturdily in place, leading to all kinds of problems. Gum disease is perhaps the largest looming threat, often resulting from chronically poor oral hygiene, but aside from that, conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) can also cause implant failure. Additionally, systematic diseases like osteoporosis can also affect bone density and implant stability.
Early Signs of Dental Implant Failure
Dental implant failure won’t resolve on its own and requires professional intervention. Your dentist can inspect your mouth, take X-rays, and identify any sort of problem with your implants. That said, here are some signs that can help you to know if your implants might be failing:
· You’re experiencing oral discomfort or pain that worsens following implant placement.
· There’s swelling or redness around the implant site that indicates the presence of an infection.
· The implants feel loose or seem to move around.
· There’s gum recession around the implant sites.
· You’re experiencing changes in your bite pattern.
· You have chronic bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth.
About the Practice
The team at Southwest Dental has proudly served patients and families in the Rio Rancho, NM community for several years. They’re thrilled to offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options such as dental implants for patients hoping to rebuild their smiles and restore their quality of life. If you have any questions about the blog or would like to arrange a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to reach out online or over the phone for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (505) 896-9399.