The Truth about Implant Failure and How You Can Avoid It

You just had your dental implants placed. The procedure went smoothly, and now you’re healing. Your dentist explains that you just have to wait several months before the next step in the process. During that time, you start to worry. What if it doesn’t work? What if your implant fails? Or, what if it only works for a little while? You’ve just made a serious investment, and you want to make sure it lasts! In this post, you’ll more details about implant failure in West Seneca and how to avoid it.

Ways That Implants Can Fail

What does implant failure actually look like? In the short term (about three or four months after placement), the jawbone needs to be growing around the dental implant. Without this process, called osseointegration, the implant will not be stable.

Believe it or not, implant failure can occur long after the placement procedure. In fact, years later your replacement teeth may start to feel loose or weak, signaling failure.

Causes of Implant Failure

The jawbone may fail to secure the implant post during the osseointegration stage if:

• The implant post is moved or shifted before it has properly integrated.
• You have a medical condition like osteoarthritis.
• You have uncontrolled diabetes.
• You have gum disease or another oral infection.

In the long term, problems can arise if you aren’t taking care of your replacement teeth. For instance, peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease that directly causes implants to fail. Other issues include grinding or clenching your teeth, which puts excessive stress and pressure on the implant.

Ways to Avoid Implant Failure

Before starting implant treatment, you should have an initial consultation with your dentist. It allows them to learn about your medical and dental history and fully examine your mouth to make sure you’re a good candidate for this treatment. However, keep in mind that even if you don’t initially qualify, you can undergo treatment to become eligible.

If you already have dental implants, you can prevent failure by maintaining them. Fortunately, this maintenance isn’t complicated. You simply take care of your implants as you would natural teeth. They require daily brushing and flossing, and you need to visit your dentist at least twice every year for checkups and cleanings. They can keep an eye out for damage to your restorations and give you a nightguard if they think grinding or clenching is to blame.

In the end, both you and your dentist can do quite a bit to stop implant failure from happening. By taking these steps, you can enjoy strong implants for many years to come. In the meantime, try to be patient as you heal and await the next step in the treatment process.

About Applegate Dental PLLC

At Applegate Dental PLLC, we are proud to offer comprehensive dental implant services. Our team is experienced in both placing and restoring dental implants, which means you don’t have to worry about visiting a specialist at any point in the process. We also have advanced technology, such as a CBCT scanner and an intraoral digital scanner, to make treatment much more effective for our patients. If you have questions about implants, you can contact us through our website.