As overwhelmingly successful as dental implants are in general, failure does occur in about 5 percent of cases. If this happens to you, that doesn’t mean that you’ve lost the opportunity to enjoy a complete smile again! At Friedland Family Dentistry of Pembroke Pines, we are determined to help you overcome this failure and save your implants. Learn more about how we deal with dental implant failure and salvage in Pembroke Pines in the information below, and then be sure to request an appointment if you think your implants could be failing.
In the months that follow implant placement, there are several variables that could prevent the implants from successfully becoming integrated with the jawbone. For instance, if this bone doesn’t have enough density, if you have osteoporosis, if you smoke, or if you have gum disease, you could experience failure. That’s why we examine patients specifically for these issues before we move ahead with treatment to increase the chances of success.
Even years after implant placement, dental implants may fail from a lack of proper maintenance. Daily oral hygiene, consisting of brushing and flossing, is essential for keeping your implants in good condition. No, the implants themselves are not susceptible to decay, but poor upkeep can cause your gums to become infected. This infection is called peri-implantitis, and it could lead to your implants ultimately failing. This is why we strongly recommend that you continue to come in for regular checkups so that we can catch any problems as early as possible.
So how can you tell if your dental implants are failing? Many times, it can be difficult to spot on your own, especially if you’ve recently undergone the placement procedure. In this situation, Dr. Friedland can tell you whether the implants are successfully integrating with the jawbone or not.
After your implants have been restored, however, there are some clear signs that could point to implant failure. If you notice any of the following, you should contact our Pembroke Pines dental office to talk to Dr. Friedland:
The treatment we use to save your implants will depend on how advanced the situation is. For some patients, we may need to remove the implant and essentially start over after we’ve treated the underlying cause with gum disease therapy or a bone graft. However, for others, we may be able to simply remove the plaque and bacteria that are causing the problem and preserve the embedded implants. When you meet with us, we can discuss the possible solutions and find the one that will help your smile the most.