Implant Failure
Quality dental implants that are correctly placed are strong, long-lasting restorations. With care and precision, implant failure can be prevented and treated. Implant failure is the presence of any condition that compromises the functionality of dental implants or any health complication that arises from the implant process. Examples of this include:
- Loose or dislodged fixtures
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Puncturing of sinuses or nasal cavity
- Complications resulting from preexisting medical conditions
What Causes Dental Implant Failure?
The vast majority of cases come down to these three main causes:
- Use of substandard fixtures
- Incorrect placement
- Incomplete review of medical history
Substandard Fixtures
In an effort to provide dental implants at an appealing price, some dentists use cheap fixtures that do not meet the standards of the FDA or the American Dental Association. These substandard fixtures pose a high risk of failure, whether in becoming completely dislodged or in causing an infection after becoming loose.
Incorrect Placement
Implants may be placed incorrectly when diagnostic information is insufficient or when placement specifications are incorrectly communicated to the surgeon. Improperly placed fixtures can hit nerves, pierce sinuses or the nasal cavity, or fall out due to insufficient bony support.
Incomplete Medical History Review
Dental implant surgery can introduce health risks to individuals with certain underlying medical conditions. A thorough medical review is needed to ensure the patient is not at risk of complications.
How We Prevent and Treat Implant Failure
At Park Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we take all care necessary to promote the highest and healthiest outcomes for dental implants. We start by conducting a thorough review of your medical history to rule out the presence of conditions that could be exacerbated by dental implant surgery. We then use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to ensure that each fixture is precisely positioned for safety and proper support. This includes digital planning tools as well as a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan which gives us a three-dimensional view of your mouth, jaw, sinuses, and nasal cavity. A three-dimensional scan is absolutely critical to achieving proper placement. Another safeguard built into our process is that our dentists also have surgical training. This precludes the possibility of dentist-surgeon communication errors and allows you the convenience of receiving your initial exam, surgery, and finished restoration in one facility. To learn more about our process, visit our dental implants page.
Over the years, patients have trusted us to restore failed dental implants that they have received at other practices. If this is your situation, know that we can help and that we'll take every step necessary to ensure a long-lasting, beautiful restoration.
In the beginning I was a little bit scared because I had a bad experience with the previous dental implant that I had done years ago in a different clinic. But from my first appointment I realized coming to Park Family was the right thing because all the staff are very professional! Dr. Campbell and James at Park Family are amazing. They answer all my questions and doubts to make me feel secure and comfortable. — Liz L.
If you've experienced dental implant failure, we invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation with us to discuss your options. To get started, you can call our office at (239) 206-1500 or request an appointment online to receive a call from us to schedule. For all consultations, we ask that you bring in a copy of your most recent x-rays so that we can provide you with informed recommendations completely free of charge.
