All about Implant Failure & Salvage

As you might know, dental implants are highly effective as replacement teeth. Their success rate even stays above 95% ten years after placement. Still, you should remember: implants can fail sometimes. They need to be salvaged by a qualified dentist in that scenario. Luckily, you can learn implant failure’s signs to know when salvage is required. The problem is also preventable with good care methods. If you’d like to learn the specifics, keep reading for a summary of the matter.

Dental Implants Can Fail

True, implants don’t deal with tooth decay. They’re made of titanium and porcelain instead of enamel. However, they can still fail for various reasons.

Most cases of implant failure stem from peri-implantitis. A kind of gum infection, the latter is caused by bad oral hygiene and inflames the gums. It’ll weaken your jawbone if left unchecked and loosen the implant.

Of course, other issues can also make implants fail. Some of the more common ones are:

• A severe physical injury or accident
• Failed implant fusion during the recovery period
• Medical conditions that weaken the immune system

What are the Signs of Implant Failure?

To know if your implants are failing, look for the relevant signs. In particular, note whether you show the following symptoms:

• Swollen or Inflamed Gums – If the gums near your implant(s) are irritated and inflamed, they’re likely infected and need care.
• Persistent Pain – Soreness after implant placement is standard, but it should fade within a few days. If it doesn’t, your restoration could be at risk of failure.
• Chewing & Biting Challenges – Normally, you can even rely on new implants to bite and chew. Continuing to struggle is a red flag.
• Implant Looseness – An implant should be as secure as your other teeth. Looseness, then, could point to possible failure.

The Implant Salvage Process

How implant salvage works depends on a patient’s situation. More specifically, it’s influenced by the cause of your implant failure. A dentist must thus know that factor before moving forward with salvage.

If the failure is infection-related, an implant may not require removal. Rather, a dental team could perform a gum cleaning, including root scaling and planing. A bone graft might also support the implant’s underlying tissue. Either way, you’d be able to keep the current implant.

In contrast, an implant failing from facial trauma or lack of fusion differs. It must be removed for the treatment site to heal properly. That said, a dentist could still place a new implant later.

Tips on Proper Implant Care

Fortunately, you can prevent implant failure with good care methods. Just follow the tips listed below, including:

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing reduce your risk of peri-implantitis.
• See Your Dentist Often – As you normally would, see your dentist for regular, six-month checkups and cleanings. These visits treat oral problems that might threaten implants later.
• Avoid Bad Dental Habits – Smoking and chewing hard objects can cause implant failure.
• Eat Mouth-Healthy Meals – A high sugar intake may lead to peri-implantitis. Therefore, stick to a mouth-healthy diet of leafy greens, lean proteins, and dairy products.

As you can see, it’s possible to respond to the threat of implant failure. So, talk to your local dentist about ways to manage implant salvage in the future.