Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Ridgefield, CT
Restorative Care for Failing Implants
Dental implants boast an impressive success rate of more than 95%. You should not be overly concerned that something will go wrong with your treatment. However, it is still important to acknowledge that in rare cases, dental implant failure can occur. If you ever believe that something is amiss with one of your prosthetic teeth, get in touch with our Ridgefield dental team. We will assess the problem and do all we can to provide restorative care for your failing implants. We want to get your oral health back on track as soon as possible!
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
The most common cause of dental implant failure is an infection of the gum tissue. This condition, known as peri-implantitis, can cause so much damage to the gums and bone around an implant that it loses its base of support and is no longer able to function properly. Often, missteps in oral hygiene contribute to the development of peri-implantitis.
Other potential causes of dental implant failure include:
- Long-term bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) or accidents could cause catastrophic damage to implants and the surrounding tissue.
- Failed osseointegration. Some patients’ bodies do not bond well with the implants after they are placed in the jawbone.
- Medical conditions. Certain types of cancer and other medical conditions may adversely affect dental implants.
Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants
It is important to keep in mind that dental implant failure can occur at any time, whether it is days, weeks, months, years, or even decades after the initial placement surgery. Therefore, you should always monitor your oral health so you can seek care at the first sign of a problem.
Here are some signs and symptoms that might indicate a failing dental implant:
- After you heal from your implant surgery, you should enjoy pain-free function from your implants. Unusual or severe discomfort means you should visit our practice for care.
- An implant feels loose. This could be a problem with the implant itself or the restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) that is attached to it.
- Signs of infection. Gum recession, swelling, redness, and pus are all possible signs of peri-implantitis.
- Difficulty eating. It should be easy for you to eat with your dental implants. Struggles in this area merit a call to our office.
All of these symptoms can potentially point to other problems as well, but nevertheless, it’s important to have them checked out as soon as possible. The faster you act, the more likely you are to be able to protect your dental implants and the rest of your mouth.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
Call our office as soon as you suspect that something is wrong with your implants. The earlier you receive care, the more likely it is that we will be able to address the situation via conservative means.
When you arrive for your appointment, we will learn about your symptoms, examine your mouth, and use imaging equipment to look beneath your gumline. After we gather adequate information, we will be able to design a treatment plan. You might need something as simple as a new restoration or a course of antibiotics. However, there is also the chance that we will have to surgically remove your failing implant. After a healing period and a possible bone graft, you may be able to receive a new one.