Did you know that according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) more than 3 million people have dental implants? The process of placing a dental implant is multi-staged and relies on the jaw bone of the patient to fuse to the titanium post (osseointegration). Once the implant fuses, a dental crown can then be placed on the post to complete the dental implant procedure. A majority of dental implants are successful. The Journal of Periodontal & Implants Science found that 97% of implants last long-term for patients.
3 Rare Dental Implant Issues After Surgery
In an effort to better educate our patients at Concord Smile, we want to share some of the common dental implant issues people may experience post surgery. It’s not often that our patients experience these issues, but it’s better to know how to handle them if they do occur.
Rare Dental Implant Issues
Loose Implant
There are many variables to a dental implant being placed successfully. On one side of things, the dentist needs to place the implant properly. On the other side of things, the patient needs to have healthy bone, gums, and teeth. If any of these variables are not ideal, the implant will have a more difficult time being successful. With all that being said, implants can become loose during the healing period, which can be concerning for the patient. The best course of action is to call and let your dentist know of the looseness.
Bone Loss
Primarily due to the patient’s health, bone loss can occur post dental implant. If a patient has a history of natural tooth loss due to bone health, it puts them at a higher risk to lose their implant post surgery. While this is a rare occurrence, it’s still a possibility. It’s best to let your dentist know if you notice anything wrong with your implant.
Structural Integrity
In rare cases, the dental implant can fail. This means that the post, which is made from strong material like titanium, gold, or zirconia, can fracture or break. The same goes with the dental crown, too. If the pressure being applied to the implant and tooth is too much, it can eventually wear the implant down to failure.
How to Handle These Rare Dental Implant Issues
You’ve just had a dental implant placed. Your smile is going to shine bright — and you’re ready to show it off.
However, you may encounter the three rare dental implant issues above. This means you need to know what to do in order to take care of your mouth.
If you notice your new implant becomes loose, causes pain when you bite down, or breaks, you need to contact your dentist immediately. It’s best to get an appointment scheduled so that you can resolve any issues that may be occurring. Waiting longer than necessary to resolve any issues with your dental implant can cost you more in time, money, and comfort later.
Are you ready for a dental implant? Need your local Concord, CA, dentist to take a look at your existing implant? Contact Concord Smile today!