Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants are usually preferred over removable dentures or permanent bridges due to the comfort, confidence and numerous other benefits they provide. The procedure for installing dental implants is routine and is successful the majority of the time. But as with all medical procedures, there is always a small chance of experiencing a complication. If an implant fails to fully fuse to one’s jawbone, the dental implant will become loose and will need to be removed.

Why May a Dental Implant Fail?

Here are some of the main situations that may cause a dental implant to fail:

• Infection around a dental implant
• Surgical trauma
• Smoking – If a patient smokes this decreases blood flow essential for healing gums and bone needed for the implant to fully fuse with the jawbone
• If there is insufficient bone for the implant to properly fuse, the implant will be unstable
• If a patient is allergic to titanium

Complications can occur immediately after implant placement or sometimes years later. If bacteria infects the gums around the implant area, periimplantitis may develop. This condition is fully treatable by your Auburn dentist, Dr. Matson, just as he would treat any other form of gum disease. However, if the condition goes untreated, it can lead to bone loss which affects the integrity of your implant.

If your bite is improperly aligned, this can cause undue force on your dental implant and may cause it to fail.

The above mentioned reasons for implant failure are rare, and can typically be remedied by replacing the dental implant with a new one. Most patients find that if they have to have a dental implant replaced, the new implant can last a lifetime.

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