A dental implant is considered a success when two things happen. The first is when bone grows around the implant in such a way that the implant effectively becomes engulfed in the bone. The second is when bone tissue melds with the surface of the dental implant on a histological level. Both these things must happen for the implant to become immovable. This process is called osseointegration, and it makes implants virtually as stable as natural teeth roots.
Dental implant failure occurs when the implant fails to integrate with the bone. Since the implant is not fixed in place, it starts to move. The failure can also cause the jawbone to lose mass and density. But why do dental implants sometimes fail, and does replacing the failed implant do any good?
The overall success rate of dental implants is over 95%, according to statistics collected by the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Only a small fraction of patients experience implant failure. Here are common causes for those failures:
One reason for the high success rate of dental implants is that most dentists screen patients for these risk factors. A good dentist will advise against dental implants if they observe a potential risk of implant failure, or they will at least take extra measures to make sure the implant succeeds. A competent dentist also advises patients to take prescribed measures to ensure implant success.
Most implant failures occur within a year of dental implant surgery. When a failure occurs, the patient will notice that the artificial tooth is loose. Some individuals may have persistent pain, swelling, or infection. These signs should alert the person to see the dentist, who will perform an exam to check the health of the implant. An X-ray of the implant site may show a loss in bone mass.
If the implant is failing, the dentist may recommend an alternative way to replace the missing tooth. The practitioner and patient may also decide to simply replace the implant.
A May 2016 study published in the "The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants" collected data from seven studies that covered more than 500 dental implant recipients with failed implants. All the patients got replacement implants after the failure of their first one. The success rate among this diverse group of patients from different studies ranged from 71% to 95%. The patients remained under observation after the replacements. The observation and follow-up period ranged between three and five years, depending on the study. The results of these studies revealed strategies that may help improve success rates in the future.
Certain measures can increase the likelihood of a successful dental implant. First, a dentist will clean the implant socket and remove all possible sources of infection using antibacterial agents or laser treatment. They will also clear the socket of any soft-tissue growth that may coat the implant and ultimately obstruct osseointegration.
A dentist or oral surgeon may also mitigate a lack of vascularity around the implant site and try to increase blood supply to the area. Alternatively, the dental surgeon might opt to administer treatments that stimulate growth. Examples of such treatments are bone growth proteins and platelet-derived growth factors.
Most importantly, the dentist will give strict, specific directions concerning after-care that the patient must follow. This is vital for helping the implant to take in the jaw and for osseointegration to take place.
Dental implant surgery should be performed by a dental professional with skill, experience, and good judgment. Patients should get in touch today with a professional clinic to find a dentist who can fix a failing dental implant and execute a tooth replacement that will serve the patient for a long time.
Request an appointment here: https://corderoperiodontics.com or call Rafael E. Cordero, DDS PA at (561) 763-9221 for an appointment in our Palm Beach Gardens office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
It is common for people to be self-conscious about their smile, and many do not realize just how big of an impact that expert implant dentistry can have. Implants provide functional and aesthetic benefits that other restorations cannot achieve. The implant process is more in-depth than options like dentures, so the overall outcome is also…
Dental implants are permanent options for replacing missing teeth and repairing one's smile. Instead of contending with the annoying glue of dentures and the risk of them slipping out while talking, patients can enjoy dental devices that function like natural teeth by opting for dental implants. To determine if these are the right choices for…
Dental implants are oral prosthetics that are highly recommended by dentists when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Implants serve as artificial teeth roots that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. It takes over the role of the root that falls out when a tooth comes off, passing bite forces into the jawbone so it…
A periodontist can help with the placement of dental implants. These are dentists who specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and treating issues that affect gum tissues like periodontal disease, which is the second leading reason why people need dental care. A periodontist spends most of their time performing gum disease treatments, bone grafts, and dental implant…
A periodontist may recommend bridges to replace one to four consecutive missing teeth.
Since implant supported dentures are a customizable and versatile tooth replacement option, almost anyone looking…
The periodontist typically takes bone from elsewhere in the mouth, but they can use hip…
Dental implants are useful for smile transformations because they closely mimic real teeth.
Periodontal disease may make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures because it exposes…
Most periodontists regularly perform oral surgeries like implant installation.
