Why Dental Implants Fail?

You likely are aware of how great dental implants are, they are the most beautiful and feel the most like real teeth in your mouth. But can dental implants fail? And if so, why do dental implants fail? 

First, failure is unlikely but by knowing what can go wrong we can better avoid any negative outcomes for the best chance of success.

Dental implants are amazing because once placed you treat them just like your natural teeth. Anyone looking at your smile will likely never be able to tell the difference between your natural teeth and your dental implant, and you will likely not be able to feel a difference either, they feel and operate just like your natural teeth. 

Dental implants are like the Ferrari for replacing missing teeth. But they aren't infallible, though dental implant failure isn’t common. You should be fully aware of what the risks are before jumping into the Ferrari. 

Across the nation the average failure rate is estimated between 5% to 10%, however the most common reason for failure is preventable. 

The Reason Why Dental Implants Can Fail

Gum Disease

The number one reason for failure of dental implants is gum disease. This is when gum disease has advanced into the bone causing problems. The body responds to the infection and begins to dissolve the supporting bone around the dental implant. As you can imagine this can be disastrous. 

If you currently have active gum disease and bone loss around your natural teeth this needs to be addressed and brought under control before investing into replacing missing teeth. 

It is also possible for gum disease to develop after placement of your dental implant. Dental implants are incredibly strong and have a long life, but still must be maintained and kept clean just like a natural tooth. 

While it’s true they can not develop a cavity, they are still susceptible to gum disease. The tissue around an implant needs to stay strong and healthy to be able to support an implant. 

Poor healing

Underlying health conditions that impairs the body’s ability to heal can prevent the implant from integrating into the surrounding bone. The body must have the ability to heal around the post placed into the bone. Smoking is another factor that can prevent healing around an implant post. 

Poor Placement

Another factor is placement. If the dental implant is not fitted properly this could create a food trap, which can increase the likelihood of developing gum disease around the implant. This could happen if the impressions they are working off of weren't executed well. For instance, if the bite was off or the impressions were inadequate when designing your custom implant. 

Additionally, below the gumline requires sufficient bone to secure the post in place. Some cases require the bone to be built up before an implant can be placed. This is all a part of the assessments required to get a proper fit and to identify if you are a good candidate for dental implants. 

Material failure

Don’t discount shop when it comes to dental implants. The materials of dental implants are incredibly strong and failure is less likely with today's technology, providing the most precise size and fit. Poor fitting inferior implants increases the chance of the implant becoming loose and failing over time. Find a reputable practitioner that specializes in the latest technology for the best dental implant design and placement.

Rejection

Another low risk possibility for failure is the body rejecting a foreign material or having an allergic response to the materials. Fortunately this is highly uncommon, due to the materials used for dental implants. Implants are made from hypoallergenic titanium which is well received by the most sensitive individuals. 

Conclusion

Keep in mind these are very low risk reasons for failure. Today’s advanced imagery and high caliber materials allows us to create the most realistic and proper fitting dental implants with precision, providing you with the greatest chance of success with your dental implants and a smile that looks and feels natural.