Generally, implant treatment has an extremely high success rate. Most studies show a long-term success rate of 95% or higher. However, certain factors can affect the success of your dental implants, and these are generally divided into three categories.
These include general health issues, local factors related to the implant site, and maintenance issues.
Having an appropriate consultation with a dental implant dentist who has taken the trouble to complete additional training and has a great deal of experience in placing a wide variety of dental implant systems is essential. Often times, determining whether someone is a good candidate greatly reduces the risk of failure.
How Can General Health Problems Affect Implant Success?
There are general health problems that can affect the success of implant treatment. These include factors such as smoking or using certain medications, having a weakened immune system, osteoporosis, or radiation therapy. Therefore, when you go to the dentist for an implant, they will want to talk to you about your medical history. It’s important to make sure you have all the relevant information so you can make an informed decision about your suitability for treatment.
Factors Related to the Implant Site
Dental implants are affected by the quality and quantity of bone and the initial stability of the implant during placement. For example, if you’re clenching or grinding your teeth, it’s also important to evaluate the amount of stress placed on the implants. Although dental implants are very strong, they can fail if placed under excessive force, especially when the implants are still in the healing phase.
Maintenance Issues
Dental implants need routine care and it is important to be careful about their care. The implant should be cleaned every day according to the instructions given by our dentist and you should have regular checks and cleanings. Without a good daily routine of oral hygiene and ongoing professional care, your implants run the risk of failing. When you visit your dentist for your regular checkups, they can assess the health of your dental implants and professionally clean them using special tools. If necessary, they can replace worn components.
How Do You Know If An Implant Has Failed?
If you have an implant problem and think it may fail, there are usually some easy-to-spot symptoms. A healthy dental implant should feel exactly like a real tooth, but if it fails, it may be painful or the implant site may begin to bleed. You may notice that the gum around the implant appears infected and inflamed, or that the gum has receded so that the implant post is visible. It is also possible for an implant to become loose. If your dental implant has been hit, it’s probably worth having it checked out.
What is the Biggest Cause of Implant Failure?
One of the main reasons implants fail is poor oral care. Just like your real teeth, dental implants can be affected by a disease very similar to gum disease called peri-implantitis. This affects the gum and jawbone around the implant, gradually destroying it so that the gums recede and the implants loosen. Peri-implantitis can be treated as an experienced dental implant dentist carefully clears the infection, allowing the gum and bone around the implant to heal more easily. Advanced treatments are also available to restore bone and gum tissue destroyed by peri-implantitis.
If you think your dental implant has failed or is infected, see your dentist as soon as possible.
