This article shows you all you need to know about dental implant failure and complications if you are thinking of getting a dental implant or you already have one.
Some people have lost one or more teeth due to accidents, physical trauma, decay or infection. This has caused them to feel self-conscious about the way they look. There are dental procedures that provide solutions to missing tooth or teeth by implanting false teeth into the spaces. One of such procedures is the dental implant procedure.
A dental implant is a metal post that is attached to the jaw bone through a surgical process, to provide support to an artificial tooth. Once the implant has been attached and secured in place, an artificial tooth is then mounted on the implant by a restorative dentist or oral surgeon. Besides having a high success rate, about 5 – 10 % of people who have dental implants experience dental implant failure either shortly after the procedure or months or years later. This article shows you all you need to know about dental implant failure and complications if you are thinking of getting a dental implant or you already have one.
Factors that affect the success of dental implants
Some factors affect the success of dental implants, and they include:
Smoking
Being a smoker does not mean you are ineligible for a dental implant. You can have a successful dental implant if you can stop smoking at least a week before the procedure and not smoke for two months afterwards. The problem with smoking and dental implants is that smoking restricts the flow of blood to the gums. Since the implants are attached to the gums, in the case of a smoker, healing will be slowed, thereby increasing the failure rate to about 20%
Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions like diabetes and autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis cause the body to heal at a slower pace than normal, and this can prevent osseointegration which is a situation whereby the implant infuses with the jawbone.
Also, certain medications like heartburn medications reduce the growth of new bone, thereby affecting the integration of the implant with the jawbone. Be sure to inform your dentist about any medical condition you have or any medication you are under before considering dental implants.
Gum disease
A healthy gum is important for a dental implant. Untreated gum disease can cause infections to develop around an implant. Be sure to treat any active gum infection before a dental implant to prevent damage to the gums and jawbone.
Poor dental maintenance
If you are going to have problems with regular maintenance and cleaning of your teeth, then you are setting yourself up for a failed dental implant. Good oral hygiene after a dental implant is important to guarantee its success.
Insufficient jaw bone
Enough healthy jawbone is required for the success of dental implants. Deterioration of bone density or bone loss can happen with osteoporosis or severe bone disease. When bones become fragile or weak, they cannot support the implant that should be surgically placed into the jaw.
An inexperienced surgeon
In some cases, the success of dental implants is dependent on the surgeon. An inexperienced surgeon can contribute to the failure of the implant. Although your dentist will refer you to a surgeon, you can search for one yourself. It is important to have an experienced surgeon perform your implants because they will know exactly how many implants will be required to support the artificial tooth replacement. Too few implants will cause excessive stress on the implant. Furthermore, an experienced surgeon will prevent iatrogenic trauma which is an injury to the periodontal tissue.
When searching for an experienced surgeon, ask the following questions during the consultation
- What is the success rate of the surgeon's surgery and what is it attributed to
- How many years of experience does the surgeon have
- How many dental implants do the surgeon complete in a year
Preparing before your dental implants
Adequate planning before a dental implant is important in ensuring its success. Planning begins with the surgeon conducting a thorough examination of your mouth to assess the state and condition of your jawbone and gums. The surgeon will perform a dental x-ray that will give information on your overall oral health and determine if the dental implant can proceed or not.
Planning also includes the surgeon taking note of your medical history and possible medications you may be taking. All these planning steps will assess and help determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants or not, and to prevent issues that can cause problems for your implants in the future.
Lack of proper planning and preparation can cause improper placement of the implant, which can lead to the growth of aerobic bacteria, abscess or infection.
Failure and complications in early dental implants
Some complications and issues can arise in dental implants. They can happen shortly after the procedure or in later years. Note that there is a difference between pain or discomfort normally experienced after the procedure and serious complications that indicate failure. You can experience pain and discomfort after the procedure, but this can be resolved with pain relief medication and should improve after 5 – 7 days. If it doesn’t, be sure to speak with your surgeon. Early dental implant failure occurs within the first 3 – 4 months after the procedure and can include some of the complications mentioned below.
Implant micromovement
Implant micromovement occurs when the implant lacks stability. Ideally, the artificial tooth replacement is not added until the implant has integrated with the jawbone. In some cases, the surgeon can place the artificial tooth replacement without waiting for the implant to bond with the jawbone. This places stress on the implant and can lead to failure.
Allergic reaction
Titanium alloy is the metal used in most implants. Sometimes, people can develop an allergic reaction to the metal and will begin to experience symptoms like loss of taste, tingling sensation and swelling. If you are allergic to the metal titanium, you should mention it to your surgeon so a different material can be used for your implants.
Infection at implant site
Infection can set in at the implant site, causing early failure of the dental implant. Your chances of having an infection increases if you have an autoimmune disease, you smoke, or you have bad oral hygiene.
Insufficient bone support
Without enough bone structure to support the implant, you run the risk of having an early dental implant failure if the surgeon performs the implant anyway. When there is insufficient bone to support the implant, it becomes almost impossible for the implant to fuse with the implant, leading to failure.
Not following instructions
It is important to always follow your surgeon’s instructions post-operation. Failure to do so can cause complications and ultimate failure of the entire process. Some instructions that may be given to you after operation include
- Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Eat soft foods until the implant site heals.
Failure and complications in late dental implants
It is possible to have success following a dental implant, only for complications to arise years later. Below are some long-term complications that can arise years after a successful dental implant
Foreign body rejection
This complication is not very common; however, it can still happen. It is a situation whereby the body system rejects an implant. When this happens, you experience symptoms like fever, swelling, chills and increased pain at the implant site.
Injury
An injury or trauma to the implant site or around it can loosen the implant, causing it to fail.
Nerve or tissue damage
In some cases, the implant can be placed too close to a tissue or nerve by the surgeon, and this can lead to damage of the nerve or tissue. Signs of nerve or tissue damage include tingling sensation or numbness in the tongue, face, gums or lips.
Protrusion into sinus cavity
This has a chance of happening when the implant is placed in the upper jaw.
You can prevent the chances of developing complications by constantly practising good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing regularly and keeping your gums and implants healthy.
Signs of a dental implant failure
If you have an early or late dental implant failure, you may experience any or more of the symptoms listed below:
- Increased swelling
- Severe pain and discomfort
- Inflammation of the gums
- Loosening of the implant
- Recession of gums
- Difficulty in chewing
Preventive care
While it is impossible to prevent some dental implant failures, we can reduce the chances of it happening by taking the following steps
- Visit your dentist every six months
- Increase your intake of calcium to support the formation of strong bones to support the implant
- Take care of your dental implants by brushing and flossing regularly and by using mouthwash
- If you have bruxism or teeth grinding, ask your dentist for a mouthguard
- Stop smoking
- Stay away from habits that damage like chewing of ice cubes and hard foods
- Avoid getting artificial tooth replacement immediately after the implants
Alternatives to dental implants
Besides dental implants, other dental procedures can help you restore your smile. These alternatives include;
Dental bridges
This is a procedure where a prosthetic device is used to fill gaps created by missing tooth or teeth. There are different types of bridges, and they include :
- Resin-bonded bridge
This is also known as maryland bridge, and is a type of bridge that consists of a false tooth with wings or support on either side of it. These wings are fixed to the tooth on either side of the gap with the help of resin. With this type of bridge, the teeth do not have to be ground down into the mouth.
- Traditional bridge
This type of bridge also uses the existing tooth on either side of the gap as support for the bridge; however, in this case, it uses the crowns on either side of the gap. This type of bridge is more stable than the resin-bonded bridge.
- Cantilever bridge
This type of bridge also uses the crown of existing tooth as support just like the traditional bridge. However, its support comes from the tooth on just one side of the gap.
Removable dentures
This type of alternative is cheaper compared to a dental implant and can be removed as well. In this case, an artificial tooth or teeth is affixed to a gum-coloured plastic base that is attached to the natural teeth in a process similar to wearing a retainer. You can also get full or complete dentures if all your teeth are missing.
Dental implants fail when precautions are not taken and instructions not adhered to. It is possible to have a full mouth dental implant without complications or issues. All you need to do is to contact experts for help. You can visit www.dental-implants-london.co.uk/ to book your appointment where the expert dentists take necessary precautions and steps to ensure a safe and successful dental implant.
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