Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – State College, PA

Dental implants are a highly successful treatment. In fact, they have a success rate of over 95%! However, with a treatment of any kind, there are some risks. In rare cases, dental implants can fail. While this is unlikely, you should still be aware of why this can occur, the common symptoms of dental implant failure, and what treatment options are available. If you have concerns about your dental implants, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always ready to help!

Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

The most common reason why dental implants fail is due to peri-implantitis. This is an infection that occurs when harmful bacteria invade the tissue around the implant, ultimately causing damage. Eventually, the jawbone and gums can deteriorate and lose their ability to support the implant. Most of the time, peri-implantitis is triggered by poor oral hygiene, but other factors can play a role as well.

Dental implant failure can also be caused by insufficient osseointegration (when the implant and jawbone don’t fuse properly), physical trauma, and medical conditions like cancer.

Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant

It doesn’t matter if your implants are brand new or several years old. Early dental implant failure can happen in the healing period after placement, and late dental implant failure can occur many years after your treatment. Here are some of the most common signs of dental implant failure to look out for:

• Severe or Unusual Pain: Some soreness is normal after your procedure. However, once you heal, your implants should feel comfortable and natural in your mouth.
• Your Implant Is Loose: In some cases, this is just a problem with the replacement tooth placed on the implant. In other instances, it could mean dental implant failure.
• Bleeding and Swelling: If you notice bleeding, swelling, and/or pus, you could be dealing with an infection. You should seek immediate attention from your dentist.
• Difficulty Chewing: Once your implants are healed and you’ve received your replacement teeth, eating shouldn’t be a problem at all.

How Dental Implant Salvage Works

If you think there is a problem with one of your dental implants, give us a call right away. This way, we can examine your smile, learn about your symptoms, and discuss treatment options. Sometimes, we are able to save dental implants with a deep dental cleaning, antibiotic treatment, and other infection-control methods. Ultimately, the sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of keeping your implant are.

If the damage around your implant is severe, we may need to remove it. After your smile is in good health again, we can discuss future tooth replacement options, like getting a new dental implant.