Dental implants are designed to be a long-term investment. Though they have an over 95 percent success rate, dental implants, unfortunately, can sometimes fail. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including a poor procedure from a previous dentist, neglect of oral hygiene, smoking or a compromised immune system, or other factors outside a patient’s control.
While dental implant complications are never ideal, seeking treatment from an experienced dentist can be the difference between a failed and a saved dental implant. In most cases, you will benefit the most from oral surgeons, who have both dental and medical training, as well as the highest level of surgical training among dental specialists. Trusting your treatment to an oral surgeon means your procedure will be completed by someone with the experience and skill to save your dental implant.
The #1 Cause of Failing Dental Implants
In most cases, the cause of a failing dental implant is peri-implantitis. This condition is similar to gum disease in that it begins when bacteria-releasing plaque is left to harden around the gums and implant. The infected gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, increasing the risk for more bacterial invasion, damage to the gum tissue and bone, dental implant mobility, and eventual failure of the implant.
How a dental implant can be saved
Treatment for peri-implantitis involves an intensive clearing of the bacteria, tartar, and diseased tissue at the site. This may involve removing the dental implant post altogether to clean the area, then placing a new dental implant when the site has fully healed. If bone loss has occurred, bone grafting may also be necessary to restore the proper bone levels to ensure the new dental implant is successful.
Schedule your appointment
Are you noticing the signs of peri-implantitis and a failing dental implant, including red, bleeding, and receding gums around the implant post? Schedule an appointment in our Oral Surgical Office in San Antonio, TX with your local oral surgeon today.