Avoid All Dental Implants Problems – Understand Your Risks

Implants offer many patients the opportunity to replace missing teeth, but the experience can be marred by dental implants problems if risk factors are not managed. At DDSS and DDII we are pleased to offer our patients digital dental implants because there are fewer side effects and complications -making for a smoother and more comfortable procedure for our patients.

Despite the fact that dental implants have a very high success rate, it is relatively normal to experience some side effects after your procedure. Dental implants are metal screws that are embedded into holes in the jaw bone, so that over time they become a permanent part of the jaw.

 

The Side Effects Of Dental Implants 

With traditional dental implant surgery, your dentist needs to make an incision into your gums in order to access the bone below it. Then holes are drilled into the jaw, to make the sites for your implants.

The fact that there are incisions means that there will be bleeding, swelling and some bruising too. Once the implant has integrated with your jaw (and this can take a few months to achieve), your dentist will have to open the wound up again, to gain access to the implant, in order to attach the abutment to it.

While you will have healed from your implant surgery, opening the wound can result in more bleeding and swelling.

For patients who have undergone the traditional implant procedure, these side effects usually disappear in seven to days after your surgery. Pain, swelling and bruising can be managed with a combination of over the counter painkillers and an ice pack if required.

 

Avoiding Dental Implant Failure

While dental implant failure is rare, it is still statistically significant and something you and your dentist want to avoid during your treatment. Before you have even had your procedure, your dentist has managed some of your risk of dental implant failure by ensuring you are eligible for surgery.

Dental implant failure occurs most commonly in:

 

Smokers

Patients who smoke find dental hygiene maintenance much more difficult than non-smokers. Dental practitioners often do not perform implants on patients who smoke.

Patients who suffer from conditions that affect their body’s ability to heal

A lack of osseo-integration means the implant will fail and patients who suffer from osteoarthritis, bone cancer, diabetes and other conditions that inhibit the body from healing would not be eligible for dental implants.

Patients who suffer from compromised jaw bone

Patients who suffer from gum disease do not have strong enough jaw bone to support dental implants and the force they need to withstand from biting and chewing.

Because a traditional dental implant procedure does involve surgery, there is always an element of risk. Working with an experienced dental practitioner from DDSS reduces your chances of encountering problems.

 

Avoiding Dental Implant Infection

An infection at the implant site is typically caused by bacteria that in the gum. Sometimes this can happen if a decayed tooth was removed before an implant and some residual bacteria remained behind.

If the implant is placed with an open space between the bone and dental implant, this can also leave a gap through which bacteria can enter.

The majority of dental implant infections take place in the gum, but in rare cases the infection can spread into the jaw. When your gums are infected they may appear red and swollen and they may bleed a little.

Dental implant infections do need to be treated, so that they do not spread into the bone. This is usually done with a course of antibiotics.

 

Avoiding Damage To Teeth And Blood Vessels

An experienced dentist will take x-rays of your mouth before commencing treatment, but it is possible that blood vessels or surrounding teeth could be damaged during the procedure. This could happen while your dentist is drilling into your jaw to make the holes for the implants.

At DDSS we make use of computer guided technology to help us find the correct placement for your dental implant, and to avoid teeth and blood vessels. In the event that a tooth or blood vessels are damaged, your dentist may need to perform a filling or cap to protect the tooth pulp.

Is It Possible For Nerves To Be Damaged?

In rare cases, nerve damage may occur when implants are placed in the lower jaw, if the implant is positioned too close to the nerve that runs through your jawline. The symptoms of nerve damage include tingling, numbness or pain in your cheeks, lips or tongue.

Thorough planning can help to avoid nerve damage, but if this does occur the implant will need to be removed in order for your nerve fibres to reconnect.

Avoiding Dental Implants Problems In The Sinus Cavity

In rare cases it is possible for the sinuses to be damaged when dental implants are placed in the upper jaw. If the jaw bone is not thick enough in the upper jaw placing a dental implant could penetrate the sinus cavity.

Again, rigorous planning along with digital photographs and x-rays can help your practitioner to avoid this problem, but if it does occur the dental implant will have to be removed and repairs carried out to the sinus before the implant can be replaced.

Even though the risks and problems associated with dental implants are rare, the correct planning and foresight can reduce your risk factors. So what can you do yourself, to assist your dentist in managing risk factors?

 

Consult with an experienced dental practitioner from DDSS or DDII

Intensive training and product knowledge means that our dentists will do all the necessary pre-treatment checks to get you ready for surgery.

Quit smoking

Smoking inhibits your bone growth and reduces your chances of dental implant success.

Keep up with your dental hygiene

Don’t forget to brush and flow twice a day to keep your implant and natural teeth strong and healthy.

Avoid touching your implant

In the days and weeks following your surgery, the less contact you make with your implant site the cleaner it will remain.

Keep in close contact with your dentist and follow all instructions

Do not skimp on any of your follow up appointments and follow the care instructions your dentist has given you to avoid potential problems.

 

To find out more about potential dental implants problems and how you can avoid them please contact us for professional advice:

Sydney: (02) 8294 5812
Gosford: (02) 8294 8656