Considering Getting a Dental Implant? Keep An Eye Out for Failures
Whether you require the replacement of a single tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants can offer you a beautiful, natural smile and improve your quality of life. When performed correctly, the procedure can also have a genuinely exceptional track record of success. However, certain factors can lead to the failure of dental implants. Even though it is uncommon, it can cause severe discomfort and even lead to additional complications.
How Dental Implants Can Fail
What does genuine implant failure look like? The jawbone must develop around the dental implant in the short term (three to four months post-implantation). Without this osseointegration process, the implant would not be stable. Contrary to popular belief, implant failure can occur long after the placement procedure. Years later, your replacement teeth may feel loose or feeble, indicating their failure.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
Here are the symptoms you should watch for and avoid if you want to keep your dental implants and smile.
- Your gums are receding – The pink, soft tissue not only serves to conceal the roots and implant supports but also helps stabilize them. Peri-implantitis could be present if you observe that your teeth appear longer than usual or if you can see the metal post beneath the gumline. It will cause your gums and jawbone to deteriorate, diminishing the support for your implants if left untreated. Notifying your dentist as soon as you observe this symptom is essential.
- Pain or swelling in the affected area – In the days following implant placement surgery, it is normal to experience edema and discomfort. Except for the immediate aftermath of this procedure and the restoration placement, your implants should not cause discomfort.
Your prosthetic teeth lack nerves, but that does not mean you cannot feel anything. Through discomfort, your gum tissue can still alert your brain that something is amiss. Pain or swelling around dental implants is a major warning sign for implant failure and should not be neglected.
- Your dental implants feel loose – Once dental implants have entirely fused with the jawbone, replacement teeth should be strong and stable. Therefore, if you notice a change in the stability of your implants, contact your dentist immediately. Continuing to bite or mastic with loose implants could result in their complete loss.
In certain instances, bruxism, a condition characterized by teeth clenching or grinding during sleep, can cause implants to feel unstable. A simple oral appliance can reduce the impact of bruxism on your implants, potentially preventing the failure of your restored teeth.
- You do not maintain your implants – A clear indication that implants may fail is not necessarily a symptom but a habit that may contribute to failure. When receiving dental implants, you are instructed on how to maintain them. You must brush and floss your teeth and visit your best dentist in Etobicoke at least twice yearly for routine checkups and cleanings. Your dentist can assist you in monitoring your implants for any indicators of trouble.
How to Prevent Implant Failure
Before beginning implant treatment, you should meet with your dentist for an initial consultation. It enables them to learn about your medical and dental history and conduct a thorough oral examination to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this treatment. However, remember that you can undergo treatment to become eligible even if you initially do not.
If you already have dental implants from Langley, BC, proper maintenance can prevent their failure. This maintenance is fortunately not complicated. The maintenance for dental implants is identical to that of natural teeth. Your periodontist in Etobicoke can watch for damage and provide you with a nightguard if they believe that grinding or clenching is to blame.
Ultimately, you and your dentist can do quite a deal to prevent implant failure. By following proper maintenance, you can enjoy dental stability for many years. In the interim, practice patience as you recuperate and await the next phase of treatment.