Failed Dental Implant

Can dental implants fail?

Does the idea of having a failed dental implant holds you from getting tooth replacement? Dental implants have high success rate. They offer predictable and successful solutions for tooth replacement. However, dental implants fail. A failed dental implant is usually loose, falls out, or may show extensive bone resorption.

what can cause dental implants failure?

Dental implant failure can happen during the healing period (early dental implant failure) or even after a year (late dental implant failure)

Causes of early dental implant failure:

• Infections around a healing dental implant,
• Lack of adequate volume and quality of bone around the dental implant,
• Implant rejection as the considers the dental implant a foreign body,
• Uncontrolled systemic diseases,
• Failure of the implant itself,
• Failure to follow post-surgical instructions,
• Failure of the dental implant to fuse to the jaw bones,
• Early loading of the implant where immediate implant placement is not indicated.

Causes of late dental implant failure

• Gum disease around healed dental implants: Gum disease happens around dental implants in a similar way that gum disease (periodontitis) happens around natural teeth. 
• Traumatic occlusion or occlusal overload: This can be particularly true in patients with teeth clenching (bruxism) or in patients who chew ice or other hard objects.

Do I have a failed dental implant?

Warning signs for a failing or failed dental implant include:

• Your gum swells or turns red or purple around the implant
• Your have gum bleeding when you brush around the implant
• You gum becomes sore around the implant
• You have pus coming from around the implant
• The implant gets loose
• You see threads of the implants showing in your mouth
• You develop deep pockets around the implant (at dental exam)
• Deepening of gum pockets

Gum disease around dental implants

Dental implants can develop gum disease in the same way as natural teeth. Gum disease around dental implants fall under two categories:

1. Peri-implant mucositis is inflammation of the gum around a healed dental implant. The gum is red and bleeds easily. There is no bone loss. Peri-implant mucositis can lead to the more aggressive Peri-implantitis.
2. Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the gum and bone around a healed dental implant. Peri-implantitis is a serious complication of dental implants. It can lead bone destruction and to late dental implant failure.

The risk of gum disease around dental implants include previous or existing gum disease around natural teeth, smoking, diabetes, and bad oral hygiene.

How can I prevent dental implant failure?

Dental implants are successful and can last as long as you can keep them Healthy.  Keeping your implants healthy require professional maintenance and proper home care.

• Understand that dental implant treatment takes time. Treatment time varies from few months to up to a year depending on your clinical situation. Rushing implant treatment can lead to dental implant failure.
• Follow instructions before, during, and after dental implant treatment.
• Brush your teeth twice/ day and floss regularly,
• Keep your regular dental visits at least twice a year,
• Avoid para–functional oral activities that are hazardous to teeth, such as chewing on ice, and
• Call us immediately if you have any issues with your dental implant.

Dr. Elseweifi is highly experienced in dental implant treatment. He will advise you as to the estimated time to finish treatment. If you have dental implants at Bucktown Dental Associates in Chicago, we will spend the time to educate you about proper home care. We will put you in a preventive dental care program. 

What do I do if  my dental implant fails?

Do not panic. If your dental implant fails, all is not lost. Contact us immediately if you see any of the warning signs. The measures we take depend on the diagnosis:

1. Saving the failed dental implant: If you contact us immediately, we can save the failed dental implant by restoring the bones and gum tissue around the implant by bone graft and /or gum graft.
2. Peri-implant mucositis is often treated with deep cleaning and maintenance of good oral hygiene.
3. Peri-implantitis is treated with surgery and systemic antibiotics. A bone graft is often required to replace the bone lost due to infection.
4. Replacing the failed dental implant: A failed dental implant may need to be removed. We may be able to replace the failed dental implant at the same time. Otherwise, we may need to leave the area to heal before placing another dental implant. 

If you are waited about dental implant failure, or suspect you have a failed dental implant, make an appointment or call us immediately.