Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Rockwall, TX
Save Your Restored Smile
Dental implants boast an impressive success rate of more than 95%. Despite that, there is always the small chance that something could go wrong with them. If you ever suspect that your new teeth have a problem, contact us to book an appointment in our Rockwall office for dental implant salvage. Our goal is to save your restored smile so you can get back to enjoying a healthy mouth, strong chewing power, and all the other benefits of implant-supported tooth replacement.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
The most common reason for dental implant failure is an infection known as peri-implantitis. It occurs when bacteria attack the gums and bones around the implant, causing them to deteriorate. Eventually, they may reach the point where they can no longer support your implants. Often, poor oral hygiene is a major contributing factor to peri-implantitis.
Other issues that can lead to dental implant failure include:
- Underlying medical conditions, such as some types of cancer
- Physical trauma, such as that caused by accidents and/or teeth grinding
- Failed osseointegration (failure of the implants to bond with the surrounding bone)
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
It is important to note that dental implant failure can occur at any time, even years or decades after the initial placement surgery. Therefore, you should always remain alert for any indications that something is wrong with your replacement teeth. Here are some signs and symptoms that you should be on the lookout for:
- Unusual pain. Severe or prolonged pain can mean that there is an urgent problem with one of your implants.
- Difficulty eating. After you adapt to your implants, it should be easy for you to eat virtually any food. Difficulties in this area indicate the need for professional assistance.
- Signs of infection. Pus, receding gums, swelling, and redness are all indications that an infection may be present.
- An implant feels loose. In some cases, a loose-feeling implant is simply a problem with the crown, bridge, or denture that sits above the gumline. In other instances, something is wrong with the implant itself.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
Call us as soon as you suspect that something is wrong with one of your implants. The sooner you receive care, the more likely it is that it will be possible to save your implant via conservative means.
When you come in for your appointment, we will examine your mouth, ask about your symptoms, and possibly take some X-rays. From there, we will be able to recommend your next steps. In some cases, something as simple as a prescription mouthwash or other adjustments to a patient’s oral hygiene routine are all that is necessary. However, if your case is severe, we may need to refer you to a local specialist. They might need to remove your implant altogether. Later, after a healing period, you may be able to receive a new one.