Dental Implant Failure & Salvage Westborough
Saving Your Restored Smile
Dental implants are consistently successful. In fact, this treatment produces a positive outcome in more than 95% of cases. Admittedly, though, that does still leave the slight chance of dental implant failure. If you ever suspect something is wrong with one of your implants, contact our Westborough team. We may be able to use our salvage services to save your restored smile. You can expect us to do everything in our power to get your oral health back on track!
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
The most common cause of a failed dental implant in Westborough is an infection known as peri-implantitis. This is a type of gum disease that develops when harmful bacteria affect the tissue around an implant. Eventually, it can cause so much damage that the implant no longer has a strong base of support. Poor oral hygiene and smoking are common contributors to peri-implantitis.
Other issues that can lead to dental implant failure include:
- Injuries
- Chronic teeth grinding and clenching
- Underlying medical conditions that affect bone health or osseointegration (the ability of the implant to bond with the bone)
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can occur at virtually any time, even months or years after the initial placement surgery. That is why you should always monitor your oral health and take action at the first sign of a problem.
Here are some indications to watch for:
- Unusual pain. After you heal from your surgery, your implants should not cause any pain. Severe or prolonged discomfort should be professionally evaluated.
- Signs of infection. Redness, swelling, and pus could all point to the presence of peri-implantitis.
- An implant feels loose. This could be an issue with the implant itself or with the restoration that is attached to it.
- Difficulty chewing. After you adapt to your implants, it should be easy for you to eat with them. Challenges in this area often indicate a significant problem.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
You should schedule a visit with our team as soon as you believe there is a problem with one of your implants. The earlier you receive care, the more likely it is that we can address the problem via conservative means.
When you arrive for your appointment, we will thoroughly examine your mouth and strive to identify the cause of the problem. Next, we will recommend a treatment. Sometimes, an issue can be resolved by relatively simple means, such as antibiotic treatment or a new restoration. In other cases, it might be necessary for us to completely remove a failing implant. Later, after a recovery period and any necessary additional care, you might be able to receive a new one.