Dental implant repair is a treatment done when a dental implant fails. Dental implant failure can be the result of a faulty implant, poorly fitted placement, peri-implantitis, insufficient jawbone mass, damage to the nerve or tissue, and infection. Nevertheless, your dentist can still repair your failed dental implant by identifying the root cause using x-rays and digital pictures. Once your dentist has discovered the cause, he can select the most effective course of action.
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What are the signs of dental implant failure?
Below are the 5 most common symptoms of dental implant failure.
- Severe pain or discomfort
- Inflamed gums
- Chewing or biting difficulties
- Gum recession around the implant
- Loose implant
Visit your dentist immediately if you are experiencing worsening or persisting pain after dental implant surgery as this may be a sign of a failing dental implant. Your dentist will be able to determine what caused the implant to fail by taking an x-ray. By identifying the root cause, the best course of treatment for dental implant repair can be determined.
What are the causes of dental implant failure?
A retrospective study indicated that the dental implant failure rate is 3.11%, as reported in the Journal of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery. Early dental implant failure is most frequently caused by surgical trauma, infection, insufficient jawbone mass, sinus issues, and insufficient primary stability. On the other hand, dental implant failure after 10 years is typically caused by peri-implantitis, occlusal loading, nerve or tissue injury, and failed osseointegration.
Failed Implant to Bone Bond
Osseointegration is a process when the dental implant post fuses with your jawbone. Failed osseointegration is commonly caused by changing treatment regimens that prevent osseointegration between the implant surface and the surrounding bone. The other common factors that cause failed osseointegration are infection, poor implant placement, dental implants made of poor-quality materials, trauma during or following surgery, insufficient healing, early loading, and rejection of foreign substances by the body due to allergies.
Insufficient Bone Density
The success rate of dental implant surgery is significantly influenced by the presence of healthy bone and adequate bone mass. Lack of jawbone density could cause the implant to become loose, which would lead to dental implant failure. Prior to the treatment, your implant dentist will assess the condition of your bone. Bone grafting or a sinus lift may be performed prior to implant insertion if there is not enough bone. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that increases bone density by using bone from the patient’s own body.
Infection
An infection at the implant site is the most common cause of failed dental implants. The swelling of the peri-implant mucosa and a progressive loss of the bone that supports the implant are symptoms of the bacterial infection known as peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is brought on by bacterial development right below the gum line, close to the dental implant. Treating the infection will depend on its severity and location. For instance, to treat a gum infection brought on by bacteria, medicines or soft tissue grafts may be required. The implant and any afflicted bone tissue may need to be removed if a bone infection brought on by bacteria occurs. This would be followed by a bone and soft tissue graft.
Peri-implantitis Symptoms
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disorder that can result in a gradual deterioration of the jawbone where the dental implant is placed. Here are some peri-implantitis symptoms.
- Pain close to the dental implant site
- Inflamed lymph node
- Pus oozing from the tissues surrounding the dental implant
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Bleeding at the gum line
- Loosening of the dental implant
- Deeper periodontal pockets around the implant
- Exposure and visibility of the implant threads underneath
Nerve or Tissue Damage
In rare cases, a dental implant may be inadvertently placed too close to a nerve by an oral surgeon. As a result, you can feel numbness, tingling, or discomfort in your face, tongue, lips, or gums. You shouldn’t ignore this since it can interfere with your regular ability to eat and drink. You should see your dentist straight away if you’re experiencing numbness or pain since a nerve or tissue issue needs to be treated right away.
Sinus Problems
The inflammatory byproducts of acute sinusitis have the potential to impair the osteoconduction and bone remodeling of bone graft material as well as the osseointegration of dental implants, ultimately leading to dental implant failure. Perforated sinuses can potentially lead to implant failure. Following a dental implant surgery, whistling noises when inhaling, nasal pressure, breathing issues, loss of smell, and bloody discharge are all symptoms of perforated sinus after dental implant. One or two millimeter perforations are manageable. However, several millimeter perforations typically result in chronic problems. Chronic nasal issues can develop in certain people who have sinus perforations following dental implants, necessitating the removal of the crown, bone grafting, healing of the location, and installation of a new implant.
How do you treat a failed dental implant?
Sterilizing the implant site and removing infected tissue are routinely utilized to treat dental implant failure brought on by peri-implantitis. On the other hand, you will require a bone graft if insufficient jawbone mass caused the failed dental implant before your dentist can replace the failed dental implant with a new one. A bone graft can help your jawbone increase in volume and density in areas where bone loss has occurred.
Can a broken dental implant be repaired?
Yes, a broken or faulty dental implant can be repaired. All necessary repairs to fix a chipped dental implant must be made by a skilled dentist using a specialized composite material. However, It can be necessary to fully replace the dental implant if the damage is substantial. You might require a bone graft to strengthen your bone and ensure that there is enough jawbone density before placing a new single dental implant.
How do you fix a broken dental implant crown?
A dental implant crown is an artificial tooth that is affixed to a dental implant. A dental implant crown receives the same durability and strength as a real tooth. However, chewing ice, eating hard sweets, and biting your fingernails can all lead to an implant crown breaking, chipping, or cracking. Impressions of the mouth will be made and sent to the dental lab if the crown fractures or breaks. A brand-new crown will then be made to replace the one that was previously damaged.
How do you fix a broken dental implant abutment?
A metal connector that is connected to your dental implant is called an abutment. The abutment firmly secures the dental implant crown in place. An abutment may crack if it has undergone significant wear and tear. Your dentist will only need to fix the abutment and not the implant as a whole if the abutment is broken.
What is the success rate for a Dental Implant?
The success rate of dental implants is 90–95% according to a study that was published in the International Journal of Implant Dentistry. There are four primary factors that contribute to the success of dental implant placement. These include the dentist’s skill, good oral and general health, high-quality dental implant materials, and the lack of periodontal diseases and serious medical disorders.
How can dental implant complications be avoided?
Dental implant issues can be prevented if you adhere to your dentist’s recovery instructions to promote healing. Additionally, you must keep up with your follow-up appointments so that your dentist may assess how well your treatment is progressing. You must maintain your regular oral hygiene if you want to prevent issues with your dental implant. You must also stop smoking if you’re a smoker because smoking will only hinder your recovery.
If you have any of these symptoms of dental implant failure, Finest Dentistry and Dr. Michael Ayzin can help.
