Dental Implant Failure & Salvage Collegeville
Restorative Care for Your Prosthetic Teeth
Dental implants are generally very successful; they do well in more than 95% of cases. Therefore, while you do not need to be overly worried about something going amiss with your implants, you do need to be aware that, in rare cases, dental implant failure can occur. If you ever believe that is happening to you, contact our Collegeville dental team right away. We will evaluate your case and strive to provide top-quality restorative care for your mouth and your prosthetic teeth.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
Peri-implantitis, an infection of the tissue around a dental implant, is the most common reason for dental implant failure. It can cause so much damage to the gums and jawbone that the implant loses its base of support. Often, poor oral hygiene habits play a role in the development of peri-implantitis.
Other factors that may lead to a failed dental implant include:
- Perpetual teeth grinding and clenching
- Facial injuries
- Certain medical conditions, such as cancer and some bone diseases
- Failure of the implant to bond with the surrounding tissue
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can occur relatively soon after the initial placement surgery, or it could happen many years down the road. Since problems could arise at any time, it is important that you monitor your oral health and seek treatment for any issues that might point to a failing dental implant.
Here are some good reasons to call our practice for assistance:
- After you heal from dental implant surgery, you should not experience any real pain associated with your implants. Unusual or severe discomfort should be checked out by a professional.
- Difficulty eating. Your implants should enable you to eat virtually any foods. Difficulty chewing or eating is a major red flag.
- Signs of infection. Things like redness, swelling, gum recession, and pus could all be signs of peri-implantitis.
- An implant feels loose. This might be a problem with the implant itself or the restoration that is on top of it.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
You should seek care as soon as you believe there is a problem with one of your implants. Unnecessary delays may only give the issue an opportunity to worsen, which could lead to the need for more extensive (and more expensive) treatment.
When you arrive for your appointment, our team will ask about your symptoms, examine your mouth, and use imaging technology to take a look beneath your gumline. After a thorough evaluation, we will recommend your next steps.
You might need something relatively easy and straightforward, such as antibiotics or some changes to your oral hygiene routine. You might also need a new restoration. In some cases, though, more complex treatment is necessary. We might even have to completely remove your failing implant. Later, after a recovery period and any necessary additional procedures, you might be able to receive a new one.