Failing Dental Implants

Despite a success rate of 95% or higher for dental implants, there are times when dental implants fail. Often this occurs because the original implant surgery was not performed correctly, the patient has not cared for them properly, or medications have impaired the healing process. Whatever the reason, if your implants are giving you trouble, replacement dental implants are the solution.

Symptoms of Failing Dental Implants

While there is mild to moderate pain and swelling in the first few days following implant placement, any discomfort should be gone within a week or two. If you are experiencing any of the following problems after this, your failing dental implants may need to be replaced:

• Severe tooth and gum pain
• Gum recession
• Redness, swelling, or bleeding gums
• Loose or shifting implants
• Difficulty eating
• Inflamed gums
• Allergic reaction to the implant (numbness, tingling, and swelling)
• Teeth grinding

Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

Failing dental implants may result from the body rejecting the implant or an allergic reaction to the titanium screw, but these are rare occurrences. They often fail because of poor placement, the use of too much dental cement to attach the restorations, or poor fit. Patients with diabetes or smokers have a higher rate of failing dental implants because their bodies heal poorly.

Peri-implantitis is a serious inflammatory disease triggered in some patients with dental implants. Peri-implantitis attacks the gums and bone surrounding an implant, causing bone loss and resulting in loose implants. Left untreated, the infection takes hold, causing exposed implant threads, pain, bleeding, and pus. If you have peri-implantitis, you should contact our office immediately, as it can spread quickly and damage the jawbone.

What is the Dental Implant Replacement Process Like?

If an implant fails, Dr. Bal can remove it at any time, regardless of how long it has been in place. However, removal is more difficult if you have had the implants for a long time. You will be sedated during removal, and the area will be numbed to alleviate anxiety and pain.

Dr. Bal removes the prosthetic or crown to expose the top of the implant, then takes off the abutment. The implant is the last to be removed. Most dental implants resemble threaded screws. Dr. Bal carefully screws the implant back out of the jawbone by grasping the top and twisting. Small pieces of bone around the implant may also need to be removed to loosen the implant for removal.

Placing the new implants requires precision, experience, and a deft touch. After implant removal, you will experience pain and swelling in the first few days. Most patients need to heal for several weeks before considering replacement dental implants. This gives the jawbone and gums time to heal properly. If you choose to try dental implants again, you may need bone grafts to build up the jawbone before replacement dental implants can be placed.

Dr. Bal has replaced failing dental implants for many patients who have had implant surgery from other surgeons and ended up suffering from implant rejection or failure. If your dental implants are failing, it is imperative to see Dr. Bal as soon as possible.