By Maylands Dental Centre 
Dental implants are a popular and common tooth replacement option. They are reliable and can last for many years. However, dental implant failure is a possibility, which may cause the implant to fall out.
In this blog post, we will discuss what can cause dental implant failure and how to prevent it. We will also cover what you should do if this happens.
Keep reading for more information!
Dental implants are a popular choice for people who have lost one or more teeth. The titanium alloy implant screw is inserted into the jaw bone and acts as a replacement for the roots of natural teeth.
While dental implants are generally considered to be a safe and reliable way to restore dental function, there is always a risk that they may fall out. This can occur due to several factors, including dental implant failure, bone loss, or simply because the implant was incorrectly placed.
While it is fairly uncommon for dental implants to fall out, it is important to be aware of the risks before undergoing this type of dental procedure.
What are the Possible Causes of Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implants are titanium screws placed into the jaw bone to hold replacement teeth (dental crown, bridge, or dentures) in place. They are an excellent option for people who have lost a tooth or teeth due to injury, periodontal disease, or tooth decay.
Though rare, dental implants are not without risk and can fail. The most common causes of dental implant failure are:
Insufficient Bone Density
The success of dental implants depends on the metal implant post’s ability to osseointegrate, or fuse, with the jaw bone. Once this biological process occurs, the dental implants become strong and stable enough to support dental appliances, like dentures or crowns.
However, dental implant failure can occur if there is no sufficient bone to support the dental implant or if the titanium implant does not fuse with the jawbone correctly. Bone quantity and quality are both important.
Loss of Natural Teeth
One of the main advantages of dental implants is that they do not rely on the support of nearby teeth, unlike traditional bridges. However, this also means that if the remaining teeth are lost or extracted, it can put added stress and chewing force on the implant. This can cause it to fail. Losing natural teeth is another risk factor for dental failure.
Bone Loss
If dental implant failure does occur, it is usually due to bone loss around the dental implant.
If the bone around the implant is not strong enough to support it, it can fail. In addition, extensive bone loss may prevent proper osseointegration. This is often the case in people with pre-existing medical conditions that cause bone loss, such as diabetes or osteoporosis.
Infection
Infection is one of the most serious complications of any surgery and can lead to implant failure. This is because the body’s immune system will try to fight off the infection by breaking down the bone around the implant.
Infection of the dental implant is called peri-implant disease or peri-implantitis. In some cases, gum disease may cause the implant to become loose and eventually fall out.
Smoking
Smoking has also been linked with dental implant failure. Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to experience complications following implant surgery, including infection, inflammation, and poor or delayed healing process.
To meet the eligibility criteria and pass the screening process for dental implants, a person should be non-smoking. If you smoke and are considering this treatment, quitting smoking prior to surgery will greatly improve your chances of success.
Presence of Underlying Medical Conditions
Certain underlying medical conditions can also contribute to dental implant failure. Systemic diseases and conditions that affect the immune system, such as diabetes, can make it more difficult for the body to heal after the surgical procedure.
Additionally, chronic diseases that cause bone loss, such as osteoporosis, can make it more difficult for implants to fuse with the jawbone successfully.
While dental implant surgery is a relatively safe procedure, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved. Talk to a qualified dentist before proceeding with implant treatment if you have any concerns.
What are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?
One of the most feared complications associated with dental implants is implant failure.
It can occur for many reasons, and it can often be difficult to identify the signs of trouble early on. However, a few key indicators may signal that an implant is failing.
- Bone Loss Around the Implant Site: This can happen when the implant is not properly osseointegrated or when an infection is present. In some cases, bone loss may not be apparent but can be detected on X-rays or other imaging tests.
- Loosening of the Surrounding Natural Teeth: Loosening of adjacent teeth can be caused by various factors, including bone loss or improper implant placement.
- Inflammation or Pain Around the Implant Site: This is often a sign of infection and should be addressed promptly by a qualified dentist. An inflammatory response is triggered when the body senses the implant as foreign, and the immune system attacks it. This is usually due to autoimmune diseases.
- Loosening of the Implant: This is usually caused by bone loss or infection and can be difficult to remedy. This can lead to discomfort and make it difficult to chew without pain. The dentist will recommend an x-ray to check bone growth.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. Early intervention may prevent further complications, improve your quality of life, and help preserve your smile.
How Do You Deal with Dental Implant Failure?
One of the most frustrating things that can happen after you’ve had dental implants is for them to fail. While implant failure is not common, it can happen.
There are a few things that you can do if this occurs to you.
Talk to Your Dentist
The first thing you should do if you think your dental implants are failing is to contact your dentist. They will be able to examine them and determine if they are, in fact, failing.
If the implant fails, your dentist will devise a treatment plan. They will likely recommend the following options:
- The first treatment option is to have the implant removed and replaced. This is usually only an option if the implant has not yet bonded with the bone.
- The second option is to leave the implant in place and try to save it. This usually involves a course of antibiotics.
- In some cases, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary before implant replacement. This is done when bone loss has occurred around it.
- Lastly, in rare cases, the implant may be removed and no longer replaced. This is usually the case if there are no other options and the implant is causing serious problems.
Undergo Dental Procedures
It’s important to note that a common cause of implant failure is bone loss. Without enough bone around the implant, it will eventually loosen and fail. There are a couple of ways to deal with this.
First, you could have a bone graft. This involves taking bone from another part of your body and grafting it onto the area around the implant.
Second, you could have a sinus lift. This is a procedure where the surgeon lifts up the sinus membrane and adds bone to the area.
Get New Implants
Another thing you can do if your implants fail is get new implants. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. Once you’ve had an implant fail, your chances of having another one fail go up slightly.
However, don’t let this discourage you from getting new implants. By consulting with an experienced and skilled dentist, you can increase your chances of having successful implants.
Ask Your Dentist for Alternative Treatment Options
If your dental implants fail, and there is no way to salvage them, your dentist will likely recommend other treatment options. These could include traditional dentures or dental bridges. It is still important to have your missing teeth replaced, as this can affect your overall oral health.
Dental implant failure can be disappointing and frustrating. However, there are a few things that you can do to deal with it. Talk to your dentist about the next course of treatment.
Final Thoughts
Dental implants, with their strong metal posts, are a popular replacement option for tooth loss, but they are not without risks. One of the most significant risks is dental implant failure, which can occur for several reasons.
Ultimately, dental implant failure is a relatively uncommon problem, but it is important to be aware of the risks before deciding to get dental implants.
If you are considering this treatment, we recommend that you book an appointment online or call Maylands Dental Centre so that we can assess your situation and discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure with you.
At Maylands Dental Centre, our top priority is always your safety and satisfaction. When it comes to dental implants or any other dental procedure, we want to deliver exceptional results. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
While many factors can contribute to implant failure, recent studies have suggested that bruxism may be one of the most important.
Bruxism is a condition characterised by the clenching and grinding of the teeth, and it has been shown to contribute to bone loss around natural teeth. The grinding and clenching put pressure and friction on the implant surface. It stands to reason, then, that bruxism could also have a detrimental effect on dental implants.
In fact, some studies have shown that patients with bruxism are more likely to experience implant failure than those without the condition.The forces exerted by bruxism can loosen the implant in the bone and cause it to dislodge and fail.
As such, patients with this condition should be monitored closely if they choose to have dental implants placed.
One of the most common questions asked about dental implants is how much they cost. In general, dental implants cost between \$3,000 and \$6,000 per tooth. However, the total cost of your dental implant procedure will depend on your circumstances.
Several factors can affect the cost of dental implants, including:
- The number of implants needed
- The type of implant
- The need for additional procedures such as tooth extraction, bone graft, or sinus lift
- The complexity of your case
- The experience and location of the dentist
Your final cost could be higher if you need multiple dental implants or have significant bone loss. Conversely, your final cost could be lower if you only need one dental implant or have minimal bone loss.
Ultimately, the proper way to get an accurate dental implant cost estimate is to consult a qualified implant dentist.
When dental implants first became available, they were considered a major breakthrough in dental care. For the first time, people who had lost teeth could have them replaced with artificial teeth that looked and functioned just like natural ones.
However, dental implants are not without their risks. One of the most common complications is that the implant can break. While this may seem like a cause for alarm, it is important to remember that broken dental implants can usually be repaired.
In most cases, the implant will need to be removed and replaced. However, if the break is minor, it may be possible to simply repair the implant.
The most important thing to remember is that broken dental implants should be seen by a dental professional as soon as possible. This is to minimise the risk of further complications, such as bone loss.
Dental implant placement is proven to have a very high success rate. In fact, their success rate is over 95%.
This depends on many factors, including:
- The type of dental implant used
- The health of the patient’s gums
- Jaw bone quality and quantity
- The patient’s oral health and dental hygiene
- Whether or not the patient smokes
- The patient’s general health
- The quality of dental implant surgery and placement
- The patient’s diet
Dental implants are one of the most popular dental restoration options available for patients who are missing one or more natural teeth. They can help patients regain their smiles with confidence thanks to their high success rate.
