DENTAL IMPLANTS
Failed Dental Implants
Rose City Dental Care in Portland, Oregon
WHAT ARE FAILED DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Though dental implants have a high success rate of over 95%, there are some rare cases in which they fail. If you have a failed implant, do not worry! At Rose City Dental Care, we provide treatment for failed or broken implants. We also seek to provide the oral health education necessary to help you understand the possible causes for implant failure, and what you can do to minimize the risk of implant failure.
Causes of Implant Failure
There are several possible causes for implant failure, but the most common causes are due to bone loss or infection.
Early or short-term failures are typically due to a lack of osseointegration, or when the jaw bone does not “fuse” with the implant properly. This is typically due to systemic factors, such as low bone density, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, gum disease, or poor oral hygiene. It can also be the result of dental trauma after the implant was placed, which can lead to a broken implant.
The most common long-term failure is due to peri-implantitis, an infectious disease that develops around the hard and soft tissues around the implant, causing an inflammatory process that can result in bone loss and a loose, painful implant. Peri-implantitis is usually the result of poor oral hygiene after having the implant placed.
Treatment for Implant Failure
If you have a broken or failed implant, you should seek immediate attention and treatment. If the issue is caught early, we can take a proactive approach and stop the condition from progressing further. Our Portland OR doctor will examine your implant in order to diagnose the root issue, and create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. In some cases, it is a simple matter of removing the damaged tissue and thoroughly cleaning the area where peri-implantitis is present. Other treatments for peri-implantitis might include antibiotics, more frequent cleanings, laser therapies, or surgery to restore the bone. We will also discuss proper oral hygiene methods in order to prevent the infection from recurring.
If your implant is failing due to a lack of osseointegration, you may need a bone graft. This process includes removing the implant, repairing the site with a bone graft, and allowing it to heal and stimulate new bone growth before attempting to place another implant. Though this process can take several months, it is necessary to ensure a strong and stable foundation to support the implant.
In other cases, the problem might not be with the implant post at all but with the dental restoration, or the crown. This is most often the result of trauma to the mouth, or daily wear-and-tear from chewing. In these cases, we can quickly restore the implant by replacing the damaged crown with a new one.
How to Prevent Implant Failure
Because a common cause of implant failure is poor oral hygiene, we cannot stress the importance of proper oral hygiene enough! As with any surgical site, it is very important to keep the area around the implant as clean as possible after it has been placed, to ensure that it heals quickly and without any complications. Brush twice daily and floss once daily, and use an antibacterial mouth rinse or a warm salt water rinse. And visit your Portland, OR dentist regularly so that any issues are caught and addressed early before they develop into more serious problems in the future!
Your Dentist for Failed Implant Restoration
We understand the frustration and disappointment of having a dental implant fail, whether it is early or late into the process. At Rose City Dental Care, we are here for you and will provide the care and treatment you need to restore your implant and oral health! Contact us today at (503) 255-2415 to schedule your free consultation.
