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Okay. My Dental Implant Is Failing. What Now?

by — Last updated: 2017-10-17 in Ear, Nose, Throat, and Dental problems

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Dental Implants are a very effective way to replace missing teeth, however they are not infallible. So how do you recognize the signs and symptoms of a failing implant? What do you do once you have recognized it? Read on to find out.

What Can Be Done To Save The Implant From Failing?

The answer to this question depends on how bad the destruction around the implant is. Regular recall checkups will help in recognizing the destruction around the implant at an early level.

If the dentist notices that bone loss around the implant is continuing beyond what is considered normal, then it is likely that the patient will be asked to come in for periodontal therapy. Scaling and curettage will be done around the implant to help reduce the number of disease-causing organisms. The need for a surgical exposure may or may not be present.

If the bone loss has progressed to a point where its survival is being threatened, then the dentist might advise a surgical procedure to try and augment the bone support. This can involve the placement of bone graft around the implant, as well as collagen membrane that will allow the bone cells to migrate into the area and help in the healing.

The success of this procedure is limited, since the implant surface does not offer any blood supply (like a tooth does) and so all of the blood necessary for the survival of the implant has to come from the underlying bone.

If the implant has become mobile, then for all intents and purposes it has failed already.

What To Do After An Implant Has Failed?

It is extremely rare that an implant will just "fall out", like it sometimes happens with a tooth. In most cases, a failed implant will continue to be retained in the oral cavity, even if it is dangling by its very last threads. Such an implant will have to be removed by the dentist and then further treatment planning can take place.

The cause of implant failure has to be looked into before re-treatment can be decided on. If the cause is systemic in nature and cannot be resolved then the doctor will offer suggestions other than implant treatment. If however, the problem was found to be in the treatment planning aspect or of the maintenance of the implant, then it can usually be easily corrected.

READ What To Expect From Dental Implant Surgery

What Can You Do To Prevent Implant Failure?

As a patient, all you can do after getting an implant placed is to ensure you are checking in regularly with your doctor for a recall visit. The maintenance regimen after completion of the treatment is what decides the longevity of the procedure.

The implant once fully integrated in the patient’s bone is a part of the body. It is susceptible to the same kind of infections like other teeth in the mouth and it also needs the same care.

Simple things like brushing twice a day, using a mouthwash and avoiding biting excessively hard things may seem like obvious things, however it is remarkable how many people forget about them after a few months. Following good oral hygiene practices as a routine will go a long way in keeping your dental implants right where they should be. In your mouth!