Dental Implant Failure & Salvage Enfield
Preserve Your Restored Teeth
Dental implants are successful in the vast majority of cases, so you can commit to them with every expectation of good results. However, it must still be admitted that, rarely, dental implant failure can occur. If you ever notice that something is amiss with one of your restored teeth, contact our Enfield team right away. Our implant salvage services may be able to resolve the situation and allow you to get back to enjoying a strong and healthy smile.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
When dental implants fail, it is usually due to a type of infection known as peri-implantitis. It occurs when harmful bacteria sneak beneath the gumline and start to attack the tissue around an implant. Eventually, the infection can become so severe that the implant starts to lose its base of support. Often, mistakes in oral hygiene play a role in the development of peri-implantitis.
Other circumstances that may lead to dental implant failure include:
- Injuries or physical damage, such as what might occur as the result of an accident or severe bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).
- Underlying medical conditions. Certain types of cancer and bone diseases may lead to dental implant failure.
- Failed osseointegration. In rare cases, an implant never forms a bond with the surrounding tissue. Smoking and poor oral/overall health can contribute to this problem.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure may happen at any time, even months or many years after the initial placement surgery. Therefore, you should always be alert to any indications that something is amiss with your prosthetic teeth.
Here are some good reasons to call our team:
- Signs of infection. Redness, swelling, gum recession, and pus can all point to the presence of peri-implantitis.
- Unusual pain. Once you recover from dental implant surgery, your implants should be very comfortable in your mouth. Severe or unusual pain should not be ignored.
- Difficulty chewing. It should be easy for you to eat most foods with dental implants. Difficulties in this area deserve professional attention.
- An implant feels loose. This could be a problem with the implant itself or the restoration on top of it.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
Request an appointment with us as soon as you believe something is wrong with one of your implants. Remember, the sooner you receive care, the more likely it is that the problem can be addressed via conservative means.
When you arrive in our office, we will ask about your symptoms, perform an examination, take some X-rays or other types of scans, and then recommend your next steps. You might need something relatively simple, such as antibiotics or a new restoration. However, there is also a slight chance that it will be necessary to completely remove your failing implant. After a recovery period and any necessary additional procedures, you may qualify to receive a new one.