How to Prevent Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They are durable and will last for many years, but they do have the potential to fail. Unfortunately, dental implant failure is usually due to one of these reasons: infection in the bone or gums, poor oral hygiene, poor placement, or smoking. Fortunately these problems can be avoided by taking certain steps. In this blog, we will discuss the causes of implant failure and how to prevent it from happening.

Causes of Implant Failure

One common cause of implant failure is infection. This can be caused by bacteria in the mouth, or it can occur when the implant is placed. Bacteria can get into the wound during surgery and cause an acute infection. Infection can also occur after surgery if plaque and tartar are not removed from teeth and gums regularly.

Poor oral hygiene is another common cause of implant failure. People who do not brush and floss regularly tend to have more plaque, tartar, and bacteria that accumulate around the implant. Plaque and tartar can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease, both of which can lead to implant failure. They can also lead to peri-implant diseases, which can also cause the implant to fail.

Another common cause of implant failure is poor placement. This can occur if the implant is not placed in the correct position or if it is not stable. If the implant moves around, it can loosen and eventually fail. This can also happen when a dental impression is not accurate, meaning there are spaces between the gum and the implant-supported restoration.

Finally, smoking and alcohol consumption are other common causes of implant failure. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that can damage the gums and bone tissue around the implant. Smoking also impairs healing and alcohol has been found to decrease the chances of osseointegration. Simply stated, smoking and alcohol minimize the implant’s ability to heal properly, which can lead to other complications.

Tips to Prevent Implant Failure

Choose the Right Dentist

When looking for a dentist, it is important to find one who has experience with dental implants. Not all dentists perform implant surgery regularly and some have more experience than others, so be sure to ask before making an appointment. You may also want to ask them about their qualifications and past dental implant patients to get a feel for them. Choosing the right dentist for the job can drastically decrease the risk of implant failure due to improper implant placement.

Follow Postoperative Instructions

Once you have found a great implant dentist, you will also need to be sure that you are closely following their instructions after dental implant surgery. In fact, a large part of implant success is dependent on patient compliance to postoperative instructions. Simply stated, people who follow their dentist’s guidelines are more likely to experience implant success as compared to those who do not follow instructions.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

To prevent dental implant failure, it is important to practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing regularly, using a mouthwash, and seeing a dentist for regular checkups. Although most dental implants fail soon after surgery, it is possible for them to fail years later as a result of poor oral hygiene. Taking care of your implants with proper oral hygiene decreases the risk of early and late implant failure.

 

In conclusion, implant failure can occur for a number of reasons, but most of these problems can be avoided by taking certain steps. By choosing the right dentist and following their postoperative instructions closely, you can greatly decrease your chances of experiencing implant failure. Additionally, practicing good oral hygiene is essential to keeping your implants healthy and functioning properly. For more information on dental implants, please contact us today.