Reasons Why A Dental Implant Procedure Could Eventually Fail
A dental implant is a healthy, high-quality, and durable teeth replacement solution. The dental implant specialist surgically attaches a titanium post to your jawbone to secure the base of the missing tooth or teeth. A dental implant is a highly successful procedure (up to 98%), but the procedure sometimes fails due to various reasons.
Discover the three main causes of dental implant failure.
1. Failed Osseointegration
If you lose a tooth and fail to get an implant in good time, the jawbone begins to degrade. When you finally want an implant, the jaw bone is often too weak to support the metal post. Osseointegration is a process where the titanium implant and the jawbone fuse together.
An osseointegrated dental implant can take some time to fully heal. However, this process sometimes fails due to:
- Insufficient or poor bone quality
- Inaccurate implant placement
- Tissue damage around the implant
- Implant surface contamination
Proper bone density is vital for a successful implant placement. If you lack enough bone to support the titanium post, your dentist may have to perform a bone graft procedure to increase the amount of bone needed for proper support.
2. Peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums and bone that surrounds the implant. As a result, the patient loses the bone that secures the titanium implant. While the condition is treatable, a new implant is often a much better option.
Some causes of implant failures due to peri-implantitis include:
- Excessive smoking and drinking
- Poor bone quality at the implant location
- Poor dental hygiene
Credible signs of peri-implantitis are fever, swollen gums, pus formation, or throbbing pain near a loose implant. Visit a local dentist for a more in-depth diagnosis if you experience any of these symptoms.
Preventative care is equally critical to help keep your dental implant in perfect shape. So, brush, floss, and use an antibacterial mouthwash daily to keep peri-implantitis at bay.
3. Smoking
Studies show that smoking can drive up implant failure rates by up to 20%. Unfortunately, cigarette smoke burns the tissues in your mouth and may also block or damage the salivary glands. As a result, the mouth dries, and issues such as gum disease or tooth decay ensue.
In fact, nicotine not only impedes blood flow to your oral tissues, it also contributes to a failed osseointegration due to tissue damage around the bone. For these reasons, you should stop smoking to lessen the chances of implant failure and also enhance your overall health. If you do smoke, always brush your teeth afterward. You can also schedule routine cleaning appointments with your dentist.
Proper oral hygiene goes a long way in preventing implant failure. However, if the current condition of your implants concerns you, see your dentist for further professional guidance. Keep these tips in mind when looking for dental implant procedures near you.
