Dental implants are the best solution for replacing missing teeth. There are several reasons for this, but one of the most important is that dental implants have a high long-term success rate. In fact, with proper brushing and flossing, many patients find that their dental implants last a lifetime.
However, patients often wonder if their body is at risk of rejecting the implant altogether, similar to how the body rejects an organ transplant. Because implants are made of metal and do not contain living cells or genetically encoded materials, they cannot be rejected as foreign bodies, as is sometimes the case with organ transplants.
What Can Cause Implant Rejection?
However, there may be cases where the body effectively rejects the implant. Although rare, you should be aware of these situations.
Titanium Allergy
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium. One reason to use titanium is that it’s one of the most biocompatible metals, meaning your body has a very low risk of experiencing any allergic reaction to it. It can happen, although it is quite rare. Less than one percent of all patients undergoing dental implant procedures report having any titanium allergy.
Bacterial Infection
You may also develop a bacterial infection in your jawbone or tooth socket. In this case, your immune system may mistakenly attack the dental implant, and this immune response may eventually lead to implant rejection.
When Does Implant Rejection Occur?
Early implant rejection usually occurs within the first three or four months before the implant has had a chance to fully heal or fuse with the surrounding bone tissue.
There is also the possibility of late implant rejection, which usually occurs one year after the initial implant placement. Late implant rejection or failure is usually due to dental neglect or a traumatic facial injury.
As a result;
Dental implant rejection is not common, and for most patients, dental implants provide lifelong results.
