Dental Implant Failure – Tips on How to Prevent It

While the success rate of dental implants is high, dental implant failure can occur even with the most innovative techniques and highly experienced dentists.

Because dental implants are made from biocompatible titanium, the body doesn’t reject them. Instead, dental implant failure is influenced by factors such as a patient’s general health, the surgical process, and post-operative care.

What Causes Dental Implant Failure?

There are two leading reasons that dental implants may fail: Failed osseointegration and peri-implantitis.

The former occurs when the bone surrounding the implant fails to fuse with the implant to secure it in the jaw. This can be caused by

• the quality of your bone,
• whether you received a bone graft
• whether you’re a smoker
• and finally the technique

Peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease that infects the bone and is caused by not caring properly for the teeth, including brushing and flossing. If it’s not detected soon enough, it can cause your implant to loosen.

Dental implant failure can occur within three to four months of surgery as well as several years down the line.

While failed osseointegration and peri-implantitis are two leading causes of dental implant failure other reasons can be as follows:

• Gum disease
• Inconsistent oral hygiene practices
• Inadequate jaw bone
• Location in the mouth
• Poor implant placement
• Medications
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Teeth Grinding
• Pre-existing medical conditions such as cancer

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Implant Failure?

• Swollen or inflamed gums
• Severe pain in and around your dental implants

Other signs and symptoms of implant failure include gum recession around the implant, a loose implant, and difficulty in biting and chewing.

Tips To Prevent Implant Failure

The best way to avoid implant failure is to maintain your implants correctly with these three simple tips:

1. Practice good oral hygiene at home
2. Schedule regular visits to the dentist (every 3-6 months)
3. Consider incorporating more bone and gum healthy foods into your diet such as fish, eggs, and milk. Avoid hard crunchy foods that might damage your implant.

Don’t let the thought of dental implant failure put you off getting dental implants. Here at DDSS/DDII, we use the latest digital dental implants and flapless surgery, which is faster, more accurate, and safer for our patients.

Book online or call us here (02) 8294 5812 and take advantage of a free implant consultation and CBCT scan.

Please note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.