Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Jersey City, NJ
Renew the Health of Your Restored Smile
Dental implants boast an impressive success rate of more than 95% — you can have confidence in your new teeth! As wonderful as that is, however, it does leave room for the possibility of dental implant failure. If you ever believe that is happening to you, contact our Jersey City dental team. After a thorough examination, we will design a treatment plan with the goal of renewing the health of your restored smile in a conservative and efficient manner.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
Peri-implantitis, an infection of the gums around a dental implant, is the most common reason why implants fail. It occurs when harmful bacteria are allowed to multiply and sneak beneath the gumline. Eventually, this condition can cause so much damage that the bone around an implant is no longer able to support it. Often, poor oral hygiene is a contributing factor in the development of peri-implantitis.
Other potential causes of dental implant failure include:
- Failure of the bone to bond with an implant.
- Underlying medical conditions, including some types of cancer.
- Injury, such as what may occur in an accident or as the result of teeth grinding.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can happen at any time, even months or years after the initial placement surgery. Therefore, you should always monitor your oral health for signs that something is wrong.
Here are some indications that you should seek professional care:
- Some discomfort is normal during the weeks after dental implant surgery. Following that, however, your implants should feel very comfortable. Unusual or severe pain is a red flag that should not be ignored.
- Difficulty chewing. After you complete your treatment, you should find it easy to eat a wide variety of foods with your implants. Difficulty chewing may point to a serious problem.
- An implant feels loose. This may indicate an issue with the implant itself or the restoration that is attached to it.
- Signs of infection. Pus, redness, swelling, and gum recession are all potential signs of peri-implantitis.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
Remember that dental problems only tend to get worse with time, so you should seek care as soon as you notice something is off with your implants. The earlier you receive treatment, the more likely it is that we can address the situation via conservative and relatively inexpensive means.
When you attend your appointment, we will examine your mouth and figure out why you are experiencing difficulties. This process may include a visual exam as well as X-rays or a CBCT scan. Then, we will propose a treatment plan. You might need something simple, such as a course of antibiotics or a new restoration. However, there is also a chance that the failing implant will need to be completely removed. After a healing period and any necessary restorative procedures, you might become eligible to receive a new one.
