Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Lancaster, PA
Save a Troubled Dental Implant from Loss
If dental implants fuse with the jawbone properly and receive excellent care and maintenance, they can last for decades or even a lifetime. However, there are rare occasions where a dental implant begins to separate from the structure of the jaw. Read on to learn about how the team at Dentistry for Life may be able to fix your implant so your smile can stay in great shape.
Why Choose Dentistry for Life for Dental Implant Failure and Salvage?
- Dental Implant Services Performed In-House
- Compassionate and Skilled Dental Team
- Advanced Technology for Accurate Treatment Planning
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
Dental implants typically fail for one of two reasons, those being:
- Peri-implantitis: This refers to when bacteria infect and destroy the connective tissue supporting the implant, which can loosen the device and erode the jawbone. This is usually the result of inadequate oral hygiene.
- Failed osseointegration: If the implant fails to fuse sufficiently with the jawbone through the natural process of osseointegration, it may not achieve the stable hold it needs to function properly for a long time. This may be due to having inadequate jawbone mass when the implant was placed.
However, implants can also be compromised by injury or complications caused by medical conditions like pregnancy, diabetes, and cancer.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implants can potentially fail at any time. This may happen soon after receiving your appliance while your mouth is still healing, or it may happen years or even decades after your device has been placed. A few common signs of impending dental implant failure include:
- Pain: This can be caused by infection or the stress of the implant moving about within the gums, and it may be especially noticeable when chewing.
- Looseness: The post of your implant being loose within the gums usually means that it is not properly connected to the jawbone.
- Gum recession: An infection that can compromise your implant may also damage your gum tissue, which will cause it to recede.
- Signs of infection: Swelling, redness, tenderness, or bleeding around the implant may mean that the tissues supporting it have become infected. Also be wary of symptoms like fatigue, fever, or a foul taste in your mouth.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you suspect that your dental implants may be failing. If the problem is caught early, we will probably be able to address it with less intensive treatments and it will be less likely that your device needs to be replaced. The process of saving your dental implants may include measures like antibiotic therapy, deep cleanings, and other methods used to control infections and encourage your implants to integrate properly with your jawbone.