What is Dental Implant Failure?

What is Dental Implant Failure?

Dental implant failure occurs when the bone around the implant doesn’t properly grow, causing the implant to become loose. Dental implant failure can occur soon after placement or several years later. It’s estimated that around 5% to 10% of dental implant patients suffer from dental implant failure.

What Are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?

In addition to loosening of the dental implant, other signs of dental implant failure include swelling, pain, and infection.

Fortunately, a failed dental implant can be treated. If your dentist has determined your dental implant needs replacing, they may administer local anesthesia and safely remove it. If the bone is still intact, the dental implant can be replaced. If you’ve suffered some bone loss in the area, you may need a bone graft before the implant can be replaced and healing after a bone graft can take several months.

To help prevent dental implant failure, practice good oral hygiene, visit your dentist regularly, consume calcium-rich foods, avoid eating ice or hard, sticky candy, and don’t smoke.