What are the symptoms of dental implant failure?

Dental implants are usually very predictable and successful procedures. But like other dental procedures, it may not always work. Dental implant failure is usually a rare occurrence, but if it happens to you, there’s no need to panic. To learn how to tell when your new dental implant needs further evaluation and to be aware of the signs of dental implant failure? Read the rest of this article.

Dental implant welding process

Implants are made of titanium metal and in the process of implanting dental implants, there is a biological process known as osseointegration that allows them to function. During osseointegration, your body produces living bone cells to grow around the surface of the implant and attach it to your jawbone. Over time, healthy bone continues to surround the implant. It can occasionally cause problems after implantation if osseointegration does not occur as it should.

Symptoms of dental implant failure

Dental implants are a major procedure that you should think about carefully. This is because this treatment involves your teeth and mouth, which is a delicate part of your body.

Many things can go wrong during a dental implant procedure if not performed by a trained and experienced professional. We have listed the symptoms that you should watch out for after dental implant placement and realize that your implant is not fused. Dental implant failure may occur in the early postoperative stages, or it may develop into a long-term failure. Some of the most common symptoms of dental implant failure are:

Severe pain and discomfort

You may experience some pain during the healing process. However, pain can be a sign of dental implant failure.

How can you tell the difference between these two types of pain?

During the healing process, you will experience pain for the first few days. The pain is not so severe and can be controlled by using painkillers prescribed by the doctor.

In case of dental implant failure, you will experience severe pain and discomfort, this pain occurs long after the operation. If you have such an experience, it is recommended to visit your dentist for an examination before it is too late.

Gum recession around the implant

The two main reasons that cause gum recession around the implant are improper placement of implants and insufficient gum and bone tissue to hold the implant.

How can you tell if you have receding gums around your implants?

Well, the first sign of an abnormally long implant crown. This is followed by painful inflammation around the implant. To prevent this, your surgeon must place the implant in the correct position.

Angulation is also an important part of this procedure, which should be done using digital dental implant diagnosis and planning. In addition, ensure that you have healthy gums and bone tissue by following a healthy diet and oral hygiene.

Difficulty chewing and biting

Do you have trouble chewing food? This can be a sign of dental implant failure. At no point should you have any difficulty eating speaking or chewing.

Implants are made to function and feel like natural teeth. Any pain associated with dental implants is not a good sign. It’s exactly like the pain you feel when chewing with a cavity.

Implant replacement and loosening

If your dental implant is done correctly, you won’t even feel its presence inside your mouth. Implants should never feel like there is a foreign object in your mouth.

If the implant is not properly seated on your gums, you may feel it move when you talk, eat, or touch it. This is the easiest sign to detect failure and non-welding of the implant.

If the dental implant becomes mobile and loose, consult your dentist immediately. If a loose implant is left unattended, it can interfere with the appearance of your smile or cause serious damage to your gums and jawbone.

Swollen gums

Slight swelling is normal after surgery. However, this is expected to be resolved within a few days. If it continues and even becomes inflamed, it is cause for concern.

If your gums look very swollen and red, this is a sign of infection. If left untreated, this infection can spread to the rest of your mouth and, in severe cases, to your blood. This can cause a dangerous health condition.

Treating an infection that has escalated is difficult, not to mention the intense pain you will experience. The best thing to do if the swelling persists after the healing phase is to consult your dentist and get it treated as soon as possible.

Micro-Movements implant

Sometimes your surgeon can place a crown on the implant immediately after placing it. This procedure requires less healing time compared to having an implant and waiting for it to fuse with your jawbone before placing a dental crown.

At first, you will enjoy fewer checkup visits. However, if your jawbone is not strong enough, this procedure can put too much pressure on it, which can cause the implant to fail. You can detect this by taking X-rays that show the micro-movements of the implant.

Sudden allergic reactions

Dental implants are made of titanium alloy, which causes allergic reactions in some people. Some of the symptoms of allergic reactions include loss of taste, swelling around the gums, and a tingling sensation.

Sudden allergic reactions are a sign of dental implant failure because it indicates that your body is rejecting the implant.

Grinding teeth

Grinding teeth can be due to the long-term failure of dental implants, which can occur for various reasons, such as stress, tooth loss, or misalignment of teeth. Some people also experience teeth grinding while sleeping.

To begin with, you will feel pressure where your implant is attached to the jawbone with persistent gum pain. Grinding teeth causes the implant to fuse with your jawbone due to excessive pressure on your teeth caused by the dental implant procedure.

If you experience periods of teeth grinding, it may be a sign of dental implant failure. Therefore, you should visit your dentist to check whether the implant is properly aligned with your jawbone.

How can you quickly recognize the signs of dental implant failure?

In most cases, dental implant procedures are successful, and only a few dental implants may fail. As the incidence of dental implant failure may seem insignificant, you need to know how to quickly recognize the signs of dental implant failure.

When the bone does not grow properly around the implant, the main symptom of implant failure is often its mobility. At first, this movement may be mild and only detectable by the dentist, but over time, the unintegrated implant will feel like it vibrates and can move when you chew or talk. A failed implant will be constantly mobile.

Dental implants are supposed to be like natural teeth in your mouth. The moment you recognize a strange feeling, it can be a sign of dental implant failure.

It is very important to have a full consultation with your surgeon and dentist before agreeing to dental implants. Make sure they check your medical information to make sure you don’t have allergies and that your gums and jawbone are strong enough for implants.

Other symptoms of a dental implant that has lost ossification can include pain, swelling, or infection, but this is not always the case. If your dentist notices that your implant is moving, he may recommend X-rays to check your bone growth. An X-ray of a failed implant will likely show significant bone loss around the metal portion of the dental implant.

Risk factors for a failed dental implant

The success of a dental implant procedure depends on many factors, but certain habits and medical conditions can increase the risk of implant loosening. Gum disease and grinding teeth can damage an implant that is healing. Diseases such as osteoporosis that damage bone strength and density can make it difficult for implant screws to fuse.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, ongoing cancer treatment may be a reason to stop the implant procedure, as radiation therapy for head and neck cancers may prevent normal bone repair.

Certain medications can also put you at risk of implant failure. There are compounds in antidepressants that affect the rate of bone metabolism, and people who take these drugs may experience problems after surgery.

Research published in the Journal of Dental Research also notes that smoking may increase the risk of dental implant failure, depending on where in the mouth the implant is placed. Your dentist may advise you to stop smoking completely or at least until the bone is fully healed.

Failed implant treatment

The good news is that you can remove a failed dental implant while under local anesthesia. If the bone around the removed implant site is healthy, a bone graft will not be needed.

If there is bone loss, your dentist may recommend bone grafting to heal the site before implant replacement. Your bone graft must heal before a new implant can be placed. During recovery, your dentist will likely explain to you ways to reduce the risk factors that caused the implant to fail, such as quitting smoking or waiting to complete any cancer treatment.

Prevention of implant failure complications

Before getting an implant, talk to your dentist about risk factors that could limit the success of your implant. Changes in your medical condition or medications can affect bone healing and integration, so tell your dentist or dental professional about any changes in your health and medical history.

Good oral hygiene is also key to preventing implant problems. Brushing your teeth twice a day and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can help keep your gums healthy and keep bacteria at bay while your new tooth is in place.

This article is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your dentist in Toronto, doctor, or other qualified healthcare provider.