Are you planning on getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth? That’s a good call! Dental implants are rapidly gaining popularity due to their durability, longevity, and aesthetic appearance.
Despite the dental industry’s high success rate, dental implant failure is a shortcoming. Here are a few reasons why your dental implant might have failed.
Problems During Surgery
This type of failure is primarily iatrogenic, meaning the dentist’s lack of expertise causes it.
Traumatic surgeries that lead to poor wound healing may cause the implant to fail. Similarly, if the dental implant protrudes into the upper (maxillary) sinus, it may loosen and fall off. Sinus lifting is a procedure conducted to raise the level of the upper sinus wall so that it does not contact the dental implant.
The Periotest is a measure taken to check the osteointegration level of the implant during surgery. High Periotest values are also associated with dental implant failure.
Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoporosis
Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Osteoporosis are a few conditions that interfere with wound healing. They may also disrupt the formation of new bone around the implant, which poses a great threat to Osseointegration, the process by which the dental implant fuses with the bone.
Controlled diabetes usually does not affect Osseointegration. The same goes for other medical conditions as well.
It is also worth noting that certain medications, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or medicines used to treat heartburn, disrupt the process of Osseointegration. Hence, it is recommended that you provide a detailed medical history to your dentist before proceeding.
Smoking
The contents of cigarettes, particularly Nicotine and Tobacco, act as vasoconstricting agents. This means that they reduce the blood flow to the gums, which is necessary for wound healing and osseointegration of the dental implant.
This does not imply that smokers are not eligible for dental implants. Smoking must be discontinued one week before the implant placement, followed by another two months post-insertion.
Types Of Dental Implants
Types of implants do not have as much of an impact on failure as long as they are widely accepted and made of premium-quality materials.
However, according to the literature, machined implant surfaces, moderately rough implant surfaces, and sintered porous surface implants demonstrate a higher failure rate.
Gum Disease
Periodontitis is associated with poor gum health and bone loss in the periodontium. Optimum bone levels in the oral cavity are crucial for the success of a dental implant.
Your dentist would measure your bone levels in the tooth-bearing area before proceeding further. Adequate bone levels would determine your eligibility for dental implant placement.
Implant Instability Due To Immediate Load
Sometimes, your dentist may provide you with an immediate replacement of the missing tooth/teeth. This protocol is widely accepted and practiced because it allows the patient to have the earliest possible rehabilitation of the missing tooth.
However, if the patient fails to follow post-insertion instructions, micro-movements in the implant region may occur due to the ‘immediate load.’
Immediate load causes micro-movements in the implant region. This caters to a pathway for implant instability and, hence, failure.
Peri-implantitis
Peri-implantitis is a condition in which the tissue around an implant becomes inflamed. It is mainly caused by the accumulation of food particles in the implant region, provoking bone loss around the implant.
Poor Oral Hygiene And Compliance
Once your implant has been inserted and the tooth is replaced, your dentist would emphasize the need to maintain good oral hygiene and regularly visit for a routine check-up.
Accumulation of food particles and debris in the implant region ignites the process of inflammation and may ultimately lead to implant failure. Failure to keep up with dental appointments may also lead to unprecedented events.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is mandatory for the success of a dental implant.
Allergic Reactions
Some people are allergic to certain metals, especially alloys. Titanium alloy is one of the materials used to manufacture dental implants. To avoid the failure of dental implants, make sure to inform your dentist about any allergies.
In the end, the best tool for successful implant surgery is information. The more information your dentist can work with, the better the options he can offer for you to make sure your implant surgery is as successful as possible.
Article written by Dr. Alberto Meza
Dr. Meza provides patients with valuable insights and expert guidance to help them achieve optimal dental well-being.
His commitment to delivering high-quality care and staying updated on the latest dental advancements makes him a trusted source for comprehensive dental solutions.
