Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Cleveland, TX
Restore Your New Smile
Dental implants boast a remarkable success rate of more than 95%, so you should not be overly worried that something will go wrong after your treatment. However, you should be aware that in rare cases, dental implant failure can occur. If you ever suspect that is happening to you, call our Cleveland, TX, team. We will examine your mouth, formulate a custom treatment plan, and do all we can to restore your new smile.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
An infection known as peri-implantitis is the most common cause of dental implant failure. It occurs when harmful bacteria attack the gum and bone tissue around an implant. Eventually, the damage can become so severe that the implant loses its base of support. In many cases, poor oral hygiene contributes to the development of peri-implantitis.
Other potential causes of dental implant failure include:
- Physical damage. This may be caused by an accident or bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).
- Underlying medical conditions. Uncontrolled diabetes, some types of cancer, and certain bone conditions can compromise the success of dental implants.
- Failed osseointegration. In rare cases, the jawbone fails to form a strong bond with the dental implants.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can occur at virtually any time, whether it is weeks, months, years, or even decades after the initial placement surgery. Therefore, you should always monitor your oral health so you can take action at the first sign of a problem.
You should book an appointment with us if you experience any of the following:
- Unusual or severe pain. After you heal from your implant surgery, you should enjoy pain-free oral function. Unusual or severe pain is a red flag that should not be ignored.
- Difficulty chewing. Once you adapt to eating with your implants, you should be able to enjoy virtually any food with ease. Difficulties with eating could point to a failing dental implant.
- An implant feels loose. This could be a problem with the implant itself or the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) that is attached to it.
- Signs of infection. Redness, swelling, gum recession, pus, and persistent bad breath are all possible indicators of an infection around a dental implant.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
You should seek treatment as soon as you suspect there is a problem with one of your implants. The earlier you receive care, the more likely it is that the problem can be addressed via conservative means.
When you visit us for your appointment, we will examine your mouth in order to learn as much as possible about the problem. Then, we will formulate a treatment plan. You might need something relatively simple, such as a course of antibiotics. However, it is also possible that you will need more extensive treatment. In some cases, we must completely remove a failing implant. Later, we may be able to replace it with a new one.