Dental Implant Failure & Salvage Columbus
Restorative Care for Your Prosthetic Teeth
We often recommend dental implants as the best form of tooth replacement because of their longevity, strength, and high success rate. Unfortunately, though, they can experience problems from time to time. In rare cases, dental implant failure can occur. If you ever believe that is happening to you, contact our Columbus team right away. We will evaluate the situation, determine the cause of the problem, and start formulating a plan for dental implant salvage.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
When dental implants fail, it is usually due to an infection known as peri-implantitis. It occurs when harmful bacteria are allowed to multiply in the mouth. They invade the tissue around an implant, and eventually, they can cause so much damage that the implant loses its base of support. Often, poor oral hygiene contributes to the development of peri-implantitis.
Other potential causes of dental implant failure include:
- Physical trauma — Teeth grinding or an accident may damage an implant or the nearby tissue.
- Underlying medical conditions — Cancer, certain bone diseases, and uncontrolled diabetes can all play a role in dental implant failure.
- Failed osseointegration — For various reasons, a dental implant may never bond properly with the surrounding bone.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can occur at virtually any time, even months or years after the initial placement surgery. That is why we strongly encourage you to keep a close eye on your oral health. Here are some indications that you might be experiencing a failed dental implant:
- Signs of infection — Bleeding, gum recession, swelling, and pus could all point to the presence of peri-implantitis.
- Unusual pain — After you heal from your dental implant surgery, you should not experience any significant discomfort. Severe or unusual pain should always be evaluated by a dentist.
- Difficulty eating — You should find it easy to eat with your dental implants and their restorations (the prosthetic teeth attached to your implants). Trouble in this area is a red flag.
- An implant feels loose — This could indicate a problem with the implant itself or the restoration that is attached to it.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
You should request an appointment with our team as soon as you believe something is amiss with your dental implants. The sooner you receive care, the more likely it is that the situation can be addressed via conservative, relatively inexpensive means.
When you arrive in our office, we will ask about your symptoms and perform a thorough examination of your mouth. After we determine the cause of the problem and understand its extent, we can recommend your next steps. You might need something relatively simple, such as a new restoration or some antibiotics. However, there is also a chance that we will need to refer you to a specialist so you can have the implant completely removed. After a healing period and any necessary restorative treatment, you might be eligible for a new implant.