Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Bergenfield, NJ
Restorative Care for Your New Smile
Dental implants are successful in more than 95% of cases, so there is no need to be overly worried that your restored teeth will encounter serious problems. However, it is still worth keeping in mind that there is always the slight risk of dental implant failure. If you ever believe that is happening to you, contact Washington Dental Associates in Bergenfield right away. After a thorough examination, we will do all we can to provide gentle and effective restorative care for your new smile.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
The most common cause of dental implant failure is a type of gum infection known as peri-implantitis. When harmful bacteria attack the tissue around an implant, the damage can eventually become so severe that the implant loses its base of support. In many cases, missteps in oral hygiene are a major contributor to the development of peri-implantitis.
Other potential causes of failed dental implants include:
- Failed osseointegration. In some cases, due to underlying medical conditions or other factors, dental implants do not successfully bond with the surrounding bone tissue.
- Accidents, as well as damage from long-term teeth grinding, may lead to dental implant failure.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can occur soon after the initial placement surgery. However, it can also happen months, years, or even decades down the road. That is why you should always be vigilant about monitoring your oral health and looking for the following indications that something is wrong with one of your implants:
- Unusual pain. After you heal from your implant surgery, you should enjoy comfortable function from your dental implants. Severe or unusual pain deserves professional attention.
- Signs of infection. Pus, redness, swelling, and gum recession could all indicate the presence of peri-implantitis.
- Difficulty chewing. It should be easy for you to eat virtually any food with your implants. Difficulties can point to a major problem.
- An implant feels loose. In some cases, this means there is a problem with the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) that is attached to an implant. In other instances, the implant itself may be failing.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
You should request an appointment with our team as soon as you believe that something is amiss with one of your implants. The earlier you receive care, the more likely it is that we can address the situation via conservative means.
After a thorough exam, we will recommend your next steps. You might need a relatively simple treatment, such as some antibiotics or a new restoration. However, there is also a possibility that you will require surgical intervention. For example, you might need a bone graft. It might even be necessary to completely remove the failing implant. After a healing period, you may be eligible to receive a new one.