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Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

December 3, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — dentondental @ 6:56 pm

dental implant consultationOver 500,000 people per year are turning to dental implants to replace their missing teeth because they are the most reliable option. In fact, they have over a 95% success rate, and they can last for decades with the right aftercare. Unfortunately, dental implants can fail. Although it’s rare, there are a few common reasons complications that can occur. Thankfully, your dentist can help restore a failed dental implant in Denton before it’s too late if you act fast.

What is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant is the only prosthetic to mimic the entire structure of a tooth. A titanium implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone to act as a root. An abutment is attached to the post to connect the restoration. This allows you to enjoy the next best thing to your real tooth using a treatment that can last for a lifetime.

Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

The long-term success of dental implants relies on your jaw fusing to the post through a process called osseointegration and remaining infection-free. While it is rare, your new smile can fail to thrive at the very beginning if your jaw and implant post don’t integrate with one another. Most often, this is the result of a systemic issue, like smoking, low bone density, or uncontrolled diabetes. Your dentist in Denton performs a comprehensive consultation to look for any issues that may prevent your jaw from supporting the posts, like bone loss, infection, and certain medical conditions.

Late-term implant failure can occur as well, which is often the result of a preventable infection called peri-implantitis. It’s caused by bacteria found in plaque and tartar buildup from poor oral hygiene habits. If it’s treated quickly, your dentist can often prevent your dental implant from needing to be removed.

Other less common causes of dental implant failure include:

  • Autoimmune disease.
  • Poor blood supply.
  • Medications, like bisphosphonates.
  • Rejection of the foreign body.
  • Allergic reaction.
  • Nerve or tissue damage.

Can I Prevent Dental Implant Failure?

There are several things you can do to ensure your smile has everything it needs to last for several decades, such as:

  • Choose a qualified and experienced dentist for your procedure.
  • Maintain your oral hygiene at home.
  • Visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Don’t drink alcohol in excess.
  • Get treatment at the first sign of a problem, like redness or pain.

Complete Your Smile Today!

Dental implants have less than 5% risk of failure, so you can rest assured you’re making the smart choice to treat your tooth loss. You’ll enjoy a complete, beautiful smile using a solution that can last for a lifetime.

About Dr. Todd Balington

Dr. Todd Balington treats patients of all ages to provide family-oriented dental care from one location. Although he’s passionate about children’s dentistry, he is also qualified to treat advanced oral health issues, like adults who have lost teeth. If you need a dental implant restoration in Denton, he has the solutions for you. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.