In the past recent years, dental implants have emerged as a preferred method of replacing a damaged or lost tooth. The trend is due to high quality, healthy method, and long-lasting results of dental implants. If taken proper care, many dental implants can even last throughout one’s life.
Though the failure of dental implants is not common (the success ratio in most of the implants is over 94%), the exceptions do exist. Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that the dental implant failures are not due to any rejection of the body because it does not build any antibody or antigen the way it does in organ transplant. There is no reaction from the body considering dental implants as foreign stuff intruding their territory.
Here we list the top three reasons that fail the dental implants –
- Failure in osseointegration: in this case, the implant is loosened, and it falls out. After implants, it takes tooth many months for natural osseointegration so that the new tooth is perfect in-situ. In some unfortunate cases, the jawbone does not fuse properly with the implant. Osseointegration could be the result of improper positioning, less bone density, damaged or unhealthy surrounding tissues, overloading, or an intense blow.
- Damaged nerves or tissues: this occurs when the implants are placed quite close to a nerve. It results in intense pain at the site that may radiate in any direction of the jaw. Besides, tingling sensation or numbness of gums, tongue, lips, or cheek and chin is also possible. The damage to the nerve could be transient or permanent, but in both cases, the implant is removed. Such cases are observed when the dentist is not experienced.
- Peri-implantitis: it is a type of infection that occurs around the implants and in the gums. Such cases are the results of poor dental hygiene, especially after surgery. It may result in loss of the bone as well as failure in implanting.
There are more factors that can result in failure in dental implants; nevertheless, the signs and symptoms remain the same. Here are the signs you need to watch out for:
- Pain in gums
- Pain below the implanted tooth
- Discomfort around the implants
- Inflammation of gums or surrounding structure
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Unusual bleeding
If you have had your dental implants done, the ultimate way to keep them intact is to strictly follow the instructions given by your dentist, which may include utmost oral hygiene. You should also brush your teeth or floss them at least twice a day with a light hand. Moreover, rinsing with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash is useful. You should also keep yourself at bay from hard candies, rough food, and above all, cigarettes.
