There are countless reasons that dentists recommend replacing missing teeth, and nearly as many reasons that dental implants are often the best approach to doing this. Missing teeth affect the overall alignment of the teeth, creating an improper bite that puts painful pressure on the jaw and unevenly wears the teeth down. While this specific issue can be solved with a removable bridge or other temporary solution, other issues that arise after tooth loss, like bone loss, can only be solved with dental implants. When a dental implant post is placed, it stimulates the jawbone that surrounds it as it heals and, after, exercises healthy tissue with each bite, while looking, feeling, and functioning just like a natural, healthy tooth.
Dental implant procedures have been used for decades, and success rates are exceptional. As with any surgery, however, there are risks, and there are some reasons a person might need to fix problems with their dental implants. These reasons include implant rejection, infection, nerve injury, sinus issues, and implant failure.
- Implant rejection can happen if the patient is allergic to the implant material, if the implant is placed improperly, or if the patient fails to follow aftercare instructions following implant placement.
- Infection is a risk with any surgery, and following surgical aftercare guidelines greatly reduces the risk of infection. In cases of dental implants, infection can prevent osseointegration, the bonding of the bone and implant, leading to implant failure and threatening the spread of infection to other parts of the body or bloodstream.
- Because dental implant posts need to be inserted deep into the jawbone to ensure their stability, it’s possible for nerve damage to occur during implant placement. If the trigeminal nerve is being crushed by the implant itself, repositioning the implant could solve the problem. If the nerve is injured during drilling, it may or may not regain sensation.
- In the upper jaw, some dental implant placements could be uncomfortably close to the sinus cavity, and, if an implant is misplaced, it could even interfere with and irritate the sinus itself. Dentists use panoramic X-rays to fully understand the arrangement of bone and the precise location of the sinus cavities, carefully designing every implant placement to avoid the sinuses while relying on areas of healthy, plentiful bone.
- Implant failure, simply put, is the failure of a dental implant to remain where it belongs. This could happen because of damage or injury to the jaw, failed osseointegration, flare-ups of improperly managed medical conditions, and, of course, improper or ineffective oral hygiene.
Working with an experienced, expert dental team for your dental implants plays a big role in preventing many of these risks to the success of the implant. The choices you make at home are the other key to ensuring their longevity. Keep gum disease and tooth decay at bay by practicing good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. If you smoke or otherwise use tobacco, keep in mind that you’re shortening the life of your dental implant, and quit; it’s way too costly a habit on multiple levels. Remember that dental implant surgery requires at least two procedures, if not more – implant placement and prosthetic placement, plus any preparatory procedures like bone grafts – and that each procedure requires thorough, complete healing before the next procedure can take place. Adhering to all post-operative instructions and maintaining a healthy routine will help you prevent the common reasons people need to fix their dental implants.
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