What Does Dental Implant Failure Mean?
Dental implant failure occurs when the jawbone doesn’t respond properly to the implant. This means the implant doesn’t fuse with the bone and becomes loose. Dental implant failure most often occurs soon after the procedure during the healing process or several years afterward.
It’s estimated that around 5% to 10% of dental implant patients suffer from dental implant failure.
What are the Signs of Dental Implant Failure?
In addition to the implant feeling loose, you might also experience swelling, pain, or infection.
Fortunately, there are things you can do for a failed dental implant. If the bone is still intact, the dental implant can be replaced. If you’ve suffered bone loss, you may need a bone graft before the implant can be replaced. This can take time because healing a bone graft can take several months.
Good oral hygiene is one of the keys to preventing dental implant failure. Brush and floss regularly, visit your dentist for cleanings, consume calcium-rich foods, skip hard candies and ice, and avoid smoking.
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