Arthur Glosman DDS

How To Know You Need Implant Replacement Surgery

Dental implants are widely considered to be most successful dental Replacement procedures in the field. Unfortunately, there are a few occasions where dental implants fail and must be replaced to save your restoration.

These cases, though not widely prevalent, must be handled with extreme precision to ensure you get a successful dental implant replacement.

Patients who require a dental implant replacement surgery will typically become aware quickly. Several symptoms will alert you that there is an issue with your tooth, some common signs including:

• Severe pain and discomfort where the implant is located
• Feeling that your implant is loose or moving around in the mouth
• Swelling and inflammation around the gum

Why Would You Need a Replacement

A failed dental implant can initially be devastating at any age, especially because this procedure comes at a cost and requires a time commitment for the patient. There are several reasons why they might fail after placement:

• Stress or trauma from injury to the mouth
• Nerve or tissue damage
• Bone loss around area of implant
• Sinus issues (if implant is located in the back of mouth)
• Fractures of the implant screw or cap
• Infection of surrounding implant (during surgery or post surgery)
• Natural body rejection of the implant
• Malfunctioning implant materials

Out of all the reasons for a fake tooth to fail, the most common causes are because of issues with ‘osseointegration’- the process where the implant does not properly bond to the jawbone. Luckily, patients who may require a dental replacement do not have to worry, as there are several successful replacement options available depending on your case.

How Are Replacements Handled

The course of treatment your dentist will choose for your replacement will depend on why the procedure failed to begin with. Here are the most common replacement procedures.

Breaks in Implant

In the case where experience a breaks, but there is no damage done to the jawbone, a replacement will not require a major operation. As soon as you realize the brake, you should contact your dentist right away. Before a new tooth can be placed, your dentist will need to determine what caused the implant to break. If there is no sign of infection or other dental concerns, your dentist will be able to place a new implant immediately.

Issues With Osseointegration

Osseointegration is one of the most common reasons for a failure, as mentioned above. If you are experiencing issues with this process, your dentist may choose to solve the problem using one of two possible solutions depending on your level of bone loss:

Medium Loss: First, your dentist will examine the implant to determine what is causing the bone loss. If they discover that you’ve only experienced medium bone loss, the replacement will be removed and allowed to heal before a new one is placed. This process may take a few months, so patience is vital during this period.

Severe Loss: If your dentist discovers you have sustained severe bone loss around your dental implant, a bone graft will be needed to regrow the bone enough to support an implant. Once the bone graft has shown successful growth, a new implant can be placed.

Infection of Implant

If your dental implant fails due to infection, your dentist will need to remove it and infected areas before a new one can be placed. If the infection has spread to surrounding teeth, you and your dentist will need to develop a treatment plan regarding steps to take for preventing further infection to avoid future failures.

How To Prevent A Failure

There are several ways you can prevent your implant from failing before needing to explore the option of a replacement.

Good Oral Hygiene: Practicing good oral hygiene is the most effective preventative measure you can take in maintaining your replacement. Make sure you are brushing and flossing at least twice a day and using an antibacterial mouthwash to remove food particles from tough-to-reach spaces.

Healthy Diet: A balanced diet is essential for maintaining the health of your existing teeth and dental implant. By cutting out hard candies and sticky foods, you can avoid the risk of cracking or damaging your implant.

Six Month Visits: Before and after your procedure, it is essential to visit your dentist for your six-month checkups. These appointments will help monitor for any dental concerns that could damage the implant and cause the procedure to fail.

Dental implants are the most durable and natural restoration options for teeth, but they are not indestructible. If you have questions on how to prevent a failed procedure, call your dentist right away for tips on extending the life of your replacement for years and years to come.

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