Failed
What are Failed Dental Implants?
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When you made the choice to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you invested in your smile with a permanent solution. With over a 95% success rate, you never expected it to fail. Now that you have a failed implant, you may be a bit confused as to why it happened and what can be done to correct it.
Dental Implants
Causes of Implant Failure
There are several reasons why you may experience late-term implant failure, but the most common causes are due to infection or bone loss.
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Peri-implantitis is an infection that develops around the implant and in the gum tissue. Most often, this is the result of poor oral hygiene after having it placed. Over time, it can lead to bone loss, causing you to experience a painful, loose implant.
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In some cases, the implant post may fail to integrate into your jawbone. This often occurs when the procedure was performed on someone who had decreased bone density. However, it can also be caused by dental trauma after the implant was placed, which may result in a broken implant.
Treatment for Implant Failure
If you are suffering from a failed dental implant, you need immediate treatment. Our doctor will evaluate the implant to determine the cause of the implant failure, and devise a treatment plan that caters to your specific needs. In some cases when peri-implantitis is present, restoring the prosthetic is as simple as a thorough cleaning. This treatment involves removing the damaged tissue and thoroughly cleaning the area. If the issue is caught early and a proactive approach is taken, we can stop the condition from progressing. We will discuss additional oral hygiene methods to prevent the infection from recurring.
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If your implant is failing due to stressed bone tissue, you may need a bone graft. This process may take between 3-6 months. Grafting new material to the traumatized tissue helps stimulate new bone growth. Once fully healed, the jaw bone will be able to support the implant.
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In some cases, the implant post may not be damaged, but rather the crown affixed to it. A damaged crown is often the result of trauma to the mouth, or daily wear and tear from chewing. In most cases, we can quickly replace the damaged crown with a new one.
Preventing Implant Failure
To ensure that your dental implant continues to function without any complications, it is important to maintain good dental hygiene. In addition to brushing and flossing daily, we highly recommend that you clean around the implants carefully, use an antibacterial mouth rinse regularly, and visit the dentist every 6 months for a regular checkup and cleaning.
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Nothing is more frustrating or disappointing than having a dental implant failure. At MacArthur Park Dentistry, we will walk with you through every step and ensure your implant, oral health, and peace of mind are restored. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation!