Why do some dental implants fail?
Dr. Suresh Amarnathan, BDS.,
Dental implants are surgical fixtures that can restore the aesthetics and functionality of missing teeth. Besides, it is a healthier solution than other dental restorations, getting implant teeth has ensured success rates of around 95%. However, teeth implants cannot last long for all people.
The dental implants fallout is rare and it is triggered by various factors. It is hard to conclude when an implant tooth fails. Some people encounter it after years of placement whereas the body rejects the fixtures immediately after they are inserted.
Here, our implant doctors have shared the possible things that tend to implant failure. They rely on improper workmanship in fixing the implants and poor implant care.
1) Bad placement of the implant
The implant position is an important aspect determining the success of implant surgery. It is because the implant should be fully surrounded by bone. Therefore, dentists look for the condition of jaw bone before beginning dental implant surgery. In certain cases, the ideal position for the implant does not have enough bone mass for the implant.
Implanting the surgical fixtures in a location that lacks bone volume will lead to implant misalignment. It will affect the formation of a structural link between the bone and the surgically inserted implant post so that the implant teeth cannot last longer and comes out in no time.
2) Nerve damage
Damaging nerves while fixing the surgical fixture is a rare thing. Mostly, it happens due to poorly taken impressions, improper treatment planning, and if the surgery is handled by unskilled dental implant doctors. It means damaging the nerves during implant surgery can be prevented if it is handled by an experienced implantologist.
The nerves surrounding the teeth are very sensitive so they cause pain, numbness, tingling sensation, and extreme sensitivity when they are injured or damaged. It is reflected in other areas of the oral cavity such as the chin, gums, lips, tongue, etc.
3) Teeth Grinding
Similar to your natural teeth, the implant teeth can also be damaged by bruxism. Repeated clenching and grinding of teeth put extreme force against the teeth and lead to loosening the structural link between the bone and the inserted implant post. Over time, it makes the implant falls out. Hence it is mandatory to indulge in activities to stop teeth grinding and clenching.
4) Poor dental implant hygiene
Despite the implant teeth do not getting infected by oral bacteria, the gum tissues around the implants are susceptible to bacterial infection. Hence you should care for and clean the fake teeth as well as your natural teeth. You might know that bacteria accumulation over gums will cause plaque build-up.
In the case of dental implants, such plaque build-up will tend to an infectious condition called “Peri-implantitis”. It causes inflammation in the gum tissues and bones surrounding the implant. This inflammatory condition is powerful to deteriorate the supporting bone holding the implant posts.
Similarly, health diseases like uncontrolled diabetes and other miscellaneous factors also cause infections in dental implants.
5) Miscellaneous factors
There are certain external factors that also affect the health of the implant teeth fixed. Here are some:
- Hereditary
- Smoking
- Too much food impacted between the implants
- Radiation to the head
- Regular intake of intravenous biphosphate
- Suppressed immune system
Bottom line
Whether you lost one or many teeth due to accidental injuries or gum diseases, getting dental implants is the best choice to restore the missing teeth.
Despite they are well-known for their ensured success rates and durability, their health, and lifetime can be compromised due to various reasons. In such cases, they exhibit abnormal things like swollen gums, tingling sensation, sharp pain around the implants to indicate the implants are deteriorating. (https://www.curlygirldesign.com/)
Luckily, some dental implant failure treatment options are available and the solutions vary for each person. If you notice the signs and get timely support from your implant dentist, you can preserve the implant teeth from deteriorating.
