How to Avoid Dental Implants Problems

Dental implants are a long-term, permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They enjoy a high rate of success while providing multiple benefits including preventing your teeth from shifting, maintaining bone structure for the support of your muscles, improving chewing ability, and giving you the increased confidence to smile. Although dental implants are a preferred tooth replacement solution, some people do experience implant failure usually due to insufficient jaw bone or underlying dental and medical conditions.

Educating yourself about the common dental implant problems will help you prevent them, reducing the risk of failure.

Early Dental Implant Problems

Tooth implant problems may occur at any time; however, they are more likely to occur within the first 3 to 4 months following the dental implant surgery. Here are some reasons why implants fail:

Infection at the Implant Site

Smoking, autoimmune diseases, gum disease, and poor oral hygiene can contribute to an infection after the procedure. Treatment for infection depends on its location and severity. For example, a gum infection may require treatment with antibiotics or a soft tissue graft.

In contrast, a bone infection may require removal of the implant and the infected surrounding bone tissue. A bone graft may be necessary after a period of healing.

Allergic Reaction

It is possible for implants made from titanium alloy to cause an allergic reaction in certain people. This is quite rare but it does happen. Symptoms include loss of taste, swelling, and tingling or burning sensation. In such cases, it may be necessary to replace the implant with one made from a different type of material.

Insufficient Bone Support

Not everyone is a candidate for dental implant placement. If you do not have sufficient jaw bone to support the implant, the implant will not properly integrate with your jaw and failure will occur. Therefore, your denturist needs to make sure that you have adequate bone support for tooth implant integration prior to performing the procedure.

Implant Micro-Movements

Implant micro-movements may occur when your implant becomes unstable due to immediate placement. Generally, a denture is not attached to an implant until the jaw bone properly integrates with the implant. There are cases where an oral surgeon may perform an immediate tooth replacement following implantation. This can increase stress on the body of the implant, leading to complications and failure.

Common Dental Implants

Here are some common problems that you may experience after a dental implant procedure:

Loose Implant

Osseointegration (the process of an implant fusing with the jaw bone) begins within the first few weeks following the implant placement procedure. Complete osseointegration, essential for the long-term success of the implant, usually takes 4 to 6 months. If the implant does not fuse with your jaw bone, your surgeon will remove it and repeat the procedure once the site is healed.

Gum Recession

Sometimes, gum tissue around your implant may begin to recede, causing pain and/or inflammation. Visit your dentist as soon as possible to prevent the issue from advancing. The sooner the problem is addressed, the better the outcome.

Nerve Damage

Placing an implant too close to a nerve can cause nerve damage accompanied by a tingling sensation, pain, or persistent numbness. Nerve or tissue damage requires immediate attention. Left untreated, injury to the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw can result in long-term complications.

Less Common Dental Implant Issues

Here are some less common but possible dental implant issues that may develop with time:

Damage from Excessive Force

Persistent teeth grinding can damage the bone/implant integration. Injury can result in a loosened implant, leading to dental implant failure.

Sinus Problems

An implant placed in the upper jaw can extend into sinus cavities, causing swelling, chronic sinusitis, loss of smell, pain, chronic bad breath, and blocked nasal passages often accompanied by a green or yellow discharge. If you experience any of these symptoms, notify your implant surgeon immediately.

Symptoms of Failed Tooth Implant

• Pain or discomfort around the implant
• Difficulty chewing
• Loosened implant/denture
• Gum inflammation or recession
• Increased swelling

Types of Implants and Dental Implant Surgery Methods

Dental implants are a versatile and reliable solution for replacing missing teeth. Understanding the different types of implants and the various surgical methods can help you make informed decisions and avoid potential problems.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal implants are the most commonly advertised and used dental implants today. These implants are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. After the implant has fused to the surrounding bone, a specialized attachment is connected to the implant, allowing artificial teeth to be secured to these attachments. They can support a single crown, fixed bridgework, or removable dentures, offering versatility in treatment.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants involve a titanium frame that matches the jawbone contour. The frame is placed on top of the bone but beneath the gum tissue. Posts protrude through the gums to hold dentures in place. This method is particularly useful for patients with a resorbed lower jaw lacking adequate bone for endosteal implants. However, this procedure is invasive and prone to recurrent infections, and its popularity has declined.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are smaller than conventional endosteal implants, typically less than 3mm in diameter. They have a one-piece screw design with a ball-shaped end for denture attachment. They are suitable for patients with limited bone width and provide lower denture stabilization.

Zirconia Dental Implants

Zirconia implants are emerging as an alternative to titanium implants due to their biocompatibility, soft-tissue response, and aesthetics. These tooth-colored implants do not show any dark color through the gums, making them ideal for front teeth replacement. However, they are more expensive and less commonly used due to limited practitioner familiarity.

Dental Implant Surgery Methods

Implant dentistry aims to give patients a functional artificial tooth or teeth. While dental implant complications do happen, they are not common and understanding the types of dental implants/surgery methods can help you choose the right solution for your needs, avoiding potential complications.

Snap-In Overdenture

In this method, two implants are placed in the lower jaw’s canine areas to stabilize the denture, preventing lateral movement. The denture still rests on the gums and functions like a conventional denture in the back. This method improves eating and speaking comfort.

Multiple Implant Cases

The number of implants used depends on the jaw’s anatomy and size. Implants are spaced within the bone to secure a final restoration. This versatile technique allows for converting implant attachments to screw-retained restorations for a more natural feel.

The All-on-4 Technique

This method involves placing four implants — two in the canine areas and two near the back of the mouth — to support a complete denture or a screw-retained bridge. It is effective for patients with a small arch or limited opening.

All-on-4 with Angulated Implants

For patients with challenging anatomy, posterior implants are placed at acute angles to improve the distance between implant attachments, enhancing stability by distributing chewing forces over a wider area.

Immediate Load Implants

In this technique, a temporary crown or denture is attached to the implant immediately after placement, provided primary stability is achieved. This allows for immediate function but has a higher failure risk due to early chewing forces. Patients often need to follow a soft diet for months to ensure proper integration.

Zygomatic Implants

Zygomatic implants are placed in the cheekbones for patients lacking adequate bone in the upper jaw. This complex and invasive procedure is reserved for full mouth reconstruction or hybrid denture cases.

 

How to Prevent Dental Implant Failure

Follow these tips to prevent dental implant problems that may result in implant failure:

• Practice good oral hygiene
• Quit smoking
• Increase your consumption of calcium-rich foods to strengthen bone
• If you grind your natural teeth, wear a mouthguard
• Do not chew hard candy or ice
• Visit your dentist every 6 months for regular implant maintenance

If you are looking for high-quality, affordable implant-retained dentures to replace your missing teeth, contact European Denture Center today. We can create customized dentures that fit properly and meet your specific dental needs while minimizing the risks of dental implant failure.

 

European Denture Center

European Denture Center provides high-quality, affordable, personalized and comfortable dentures and partials. Our dentures and implants are customized to match your needs and budget. Give us a call at (208) 584-5433 for the Idaho office, (208) 459-2253 for the Caldwell office, and (425) 689-7381 for the Washington office to schedule a free consultation.