Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Weyauwega, WI
Saving Your Smile for a Better Future
It is believed that when placed by a trusted and skilled implant dentist, ceramic implant posts have a success rate of around 95%. If properly maintained, the success rate falls between 90-95% after 10 years! This is certainly a reassuring fact for individuals considering this form of tooth replacement; however, you should also know there are instances (although rare) that can result in a failed dental implant in Weyauwega. Depending on the cause of your implant failure, Dr. Twohig may be able to save your tooth and restore your smile to its former beauty. But no matter the reason, if you suspect something isn’t right with your new smile, make sure to contact us immediately for an appointment.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
The most common reason a dental implant fails is peri-implantitis. This condition occurs when inflammation forms around the gum tissue surrounding your dental implant. This is often the result of poor oral hygiene and the formation of gum disease.
Other reasons implant failure can happen include:
- A weakened immune system that doesn’t allow for proper healing
- Severe facial trauma that causes damage to your dental implant(s)
- Failed osseointegration, which means the dental implant could not fuse with the bone
Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants
If you suspect you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, do not wait to get in to see us. Contact your implant dentist in Weyauwega as soon as possible:
- Pain, swelling, or bleeding around the implant
- Pus forming near the implant, as this might be a sign of an infection
- Increased pain that doesn’t dissipate after a few days
- Difficulty open and closing your mouth to eat or chew
- A dental implant that feels loose
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
To ensure you are aware of how dental implant salvage works, Dr. Twohig has provided additional information to help you better understand the process he uses to save your dental implants in Weyauwega and your smile.
If peri-implantitis is the cause of your failed dental implant, he will formulate a treatment plan that incorporates periodontal therapy to rid the gum tissue of bad bacteria. This typically takes time to complete but can be beneficial in saving both your soft oral tissues and dental implant.
If you have inadequate jawbone density, he will likely recommend a bone graft or sinus lift to provide additional support in areas that may be too weak to support your dental implants. Because this process takes several months to fully recover, it may be necessary to remove the failed dental implant, allow your jawbone to fully heal, and then attempt to re-implant another ceramic post.