Who Is Responsible For Dental Implant Failure?
The failure of a dental implant is most likely caused by the patient. However, this failure is sometimes caused by something completely out of the individual’s control, or even the implant surgeon themselves.
Why has my dental implant failed?
Let’s go through some of the possible reasons of dental implant failure:
- Gum disease: One of the most common reasons for dental implant failure as it increases the risk of infection.
- Improper placement: In some cases, the fault actually lies with the dentist. If placed incorrectly, your dental implant may become loose or fail altogether.
- Smoking: Not only does this habit pose severe health problems, but it also hinders the dental implant healing process and leads to bone loss.
- Medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases and conditions additionally pose a risk of implant failure. Why? They have the ability to slow down healing which, in turn, affects the jawbone’s capacity to fuse with the implant.
- Poor oral hygiene: This has nasty side effects such as gum disease and peri-implantitis, alongside bad breath (halitosis).
- Bone loss: Dental implants need to anchor to a strong, secure base. If there isn’t a sufficient amount of bone, the implant can fail.
- Bruxism: The constant clenching and grinding of teeth places excessive pressure on the dental implant.
What is peri-implantitis?
One of the leading causes of implant failure, peri-implantitis is a painful condition that affects the tissues, gums and bones. Caused by many different factors, mainly the build-up of bacteria around the gum line, it can lead to a variety of oral health issues. This includes the loss of the implant altogether.
Peri-implantitis can also be attributed to poor oral hygiene, smoking, bad implant placement and bruxism. To get rid of the infection, antibiotics may be offered to the patient. Surgery is an option for advanced cases in order to clean and repair the implant area. A bone graft can also be carried out to restore the bone lost.
Can an implant be redone if it fails?
Yes – in most cases, an implant can be redone if it fails. Your dentist will either leave the implant in the mouth or take it out completely. Then, once your jawbone has fully healed (this is usually around six months, but differs from patient to patient), the surgery will be carried out again.
To ensure success, your dentist may modify your procedure in a number of ways. For example, they could use a higher number of implants or carry out additional treatments such as a bone graft.
Signs of dental implant failure to look out for
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please contact your dentist:
- A loose and wobbly implant
- Swelling
- Severe pain
- Chewing and biting is difficult
- Gum recession around the dental implant
- Persistent bad breath
- Bleeding, red or swollen gums
- Pus
- Fever
- Bone loss
How to keep your dental implants in excellent condition
To minimise the risk of dental implant failure and other complications, there are many things you can do. Firstly you should maintain a rigorous oral health routine. Brush twice a day, floss regularly and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash. Visit your dental hygienist for a deep clean twice a year, while also attending your routine dentist check-ups.
The following should also be avoided: smoking, vaping and teeth grinding. Try to minimise staining food and drinks too because your dental implant cannot be whitened once fitted.
Conclusion:
Do not hesitate to contact your dentist if you suspect that your dental implant is beginning to fail. The earlier an issue with your dental implant is identified, the higher the chance is that your implant can be saved.