Failure Is an Option: How to Recognize a Failing Dental Implant

As you look into your options for tooth replacement, you weigh the pros and cons of a traditional choice like dentures or a bridge as well as more advanced dental implants. Not only can implant-retained restorations give you more biting force and preserve your facial shape, but they don’t involve modifying remaining teeth and last a long, long time.

With a success rate of 95 percent 10 years after placement, getting dental implants can seem like a sure bet. However, failure is possible with neglect, which may make you hesitate to choose them. What does a failing dental implant look like? What should you do if you see the signs? What can you do to avoid this fate? Keep reading for the answers!

Signs of Dental Implant Failure

If you’re not a trained dental professional, some of the signs of failure can escape your notice. Common symptoms of dental implant failure include the following:

• Red, puffy, or bleeding gums.
• Receding gums.
• Consistently foul breath.
• Changes to your bite.
• Loose-feeling teeth or dental implants.

These signs usually point to an infection called peri-implantitis, which when left untreated ultimately leads to dental implants coming out completely. Pay attention to your mouth so that you can recognize any irregularities with your smile.

Why You Need to Act Quickly

Once you notice the symptoms of dental implant failure, you must do something about it immediately! But keep in mind that if you wait until then, it may already be too late to save your tooth replacements. Call your dentist for an urgent appointment—they can examine your implants and determine if these prosthetics can be salvaged or if they need to be removed and your mouth treated.

How to Prevent Implant Failure in the First Place

The best approach to dental implant failure is to prevent it from happening at all. Fortunately, avoiding failure is actually quite simple. It entails taking a few minutes every day to brush and floss your teeth, including the prosthetic ones, to remove harmful bacteria in plaque and going to the dentist’s office every six months for checkups and cleanings. Your dentist, who is trained to identify problems early in their development, can spot trouble before it gets worse and puts your replacement teeth at risk.

In the end, you shouldn’t let the fear of dental implant failure keep you from reaching your smile’s full potential. You can confidently choose to replace your teeth with this replacement option. If you continue to maintain your oral health and work regularly with your dentist, you can avoid failure and enjoy decades with your implants.

About the Author

After graduating with her dental degree, Dr. Julia Karpman completed a residency at Danbury Hospital, where she gained priceless experience in implant dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontics, and more. She has continued to expand her skillset through advanced training coursework and is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association. If you have questions about dental implants or failure and salvage, you can call her practice Dental Essential of Rocky Hill at (860) 563-3766 or reach out online here.