A dental implant procedure aims to replace missing teeth with artificial ones that look and feel just like natural teeth. And while dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution, they can sometimes fail.
Here are two signs that indicate impending dental implant failure.
Loose Or Wobbly Dental Implant
If your dental implant feels a little loose or wobbly, it could be a sign that the implant is not Osseo-integrating correctly with the bone. Osteointegration is a process where the bone fuses with the dental implant, providing a strong and sturdy foundation for the new tooth. This problem can happen for many reasons including poor dental hygiene, infection, trauma, or overloading of the dental implant.
For example, if an infection is present, the bone around the dental implant may begin to deteriorate, causing the dental implant to become loose. In this case, the implant won't have sufficient basal support to hold it in place. Severe trauma might have the same effect as well.
Overloading is when too much force is placed on the dental implant. This can happen if you grind your teeth or if you chew on hard objects like ice. The abutment, which is the connector piece between the dental implant and the dental prosthetic, can also come loose over time due to continuous overloading. Avoid putting too much pressure on your dental implants to prevent this from happening.
If your dental implant feels a little loose or wobbly, consult with your dentist right away. Leaving the implant as is can cause further damage to the surrounding bone and gums, eventually leading to other dental issues.
Persistent Pain or Discomfort Around the Implant Site
Sensitivity and soreness are common after dental implant surgery. However, if the pain or discomfort persists for more than a few weeks, it could be a sign of dental implant failure.
One reason for this is peri-implantitis, which is an inflammation of the tissue around the dental implant. This happens when bacteria gets under the dental implant and begins to attack the bone. It can cause the dental implant to become loose, eventually leading to total implant failure.
The pain might cause a lot of difficulties when eating or drinking and can persist even when you're not using the dental implant. It might also be accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, redness, and bad breath.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation. They'll determine if peri-implantitis is present and recommend treatment accordingly. Treating peri-implantitis early is crucial to saving your dental implant. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to extensive bone loss and, eventually, dental implant failure.
To learn more about dental implants, contact a company like Bremen Family Dentistry, PC.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.