Everything You Need to Know About Dental Implants Cost, Complications and Failure
A dental implant is a metallic post that is carefully affixed to the jawbone with a surgical procedure. It acts as a foundation for an artificial tooth. After this integration, your dentist attaches a replacement tooth to the implant.
While dental implants boast a remarkably high rate of success rate, certain individuals may experience instances of dental implant failure. A few per cent of dental implants might not successfully integrate, either shortly following the initial procedure or even months to years later.
If you plan to undergo dental implant surgery or already have an implant, it’s essential to be well-informed about the dental implant’s cost, potential complexities associated with failure and other complications.
What Impacts Dental Implant Success?
The success of dental implants can be influenced by different factors, which can be broadly categorised into patient-related factors, surgical factors, and prosthetic factors. Here’s an overview of each category:
- Patient-related factors
- Bone quality and quantity: Sufficient jawbone volume and density are necessary to provide stability for the implant. Bone loss due to periodontal disease or other issues can affect implant success.
- Overall health: Medical conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of implant failure.
- Smoking: Tobacco use can impede blood flow and slow down the healing process, reducing the chances of successful implant integration.
- Oral hygiene: Poor hygiene can lead to infections around the implant site, increasing the risk of failure.
- Bruxism: Clenching or grinding of teeth can exert excessive force on implants, potentially leading to mechanical complications.
- Surgical factors
- Implant placement technique: Precise placement of the implant in the correct position and angle is crucial for optimal load distribution and integration.
- Surgical experience: The skill and experience of the surgeon performing the implant procedure play a significant role in the success of the implant.
- Infection control: Proper sterile techniques during surgery are essential to prevent post-operative infections.
- Prosthetic factors
- Implant design and material: The type of implant and the materials used can impact its long-term success. Titanium is commonly used due to its biocompatibility.
- Prosthetic design: The design and fit of the artificial tooth or crown attached to the implant can affect bite alignment and overall function.
- Occlusion (bite alignment): Proper alignment of the implant-supported tooth with the opposing teeth is important to prevent excessive forces on the implant.
- Aftercare
- Oral hygiene: Regular and effective oral care, including brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings is essential to prevent infections around the implant.
- Follow-up visits: Routine check-ups with the dentist or oral surgeon are crucial to monitor the implant’s health and address any issues promptly.
It’s important to note that while these factors can influence the success of dental implants, advancements in implant technology, surgical techniques, and patient management have significantly improved the overall success rate of dental implant procedures. Consulting with a qualified dentist in Bella Vista and adhering to their recommendations can help maximise the chances of a successful implant outcome.
Early Dental Implant Failure and Problems
Early dental implant failure refers to instances where an implant does not successfully integrate with the jawbone shortly after the surgical procedure. Several factors can contribute to early implant failure:
- Inadequate Bone Quantity or Quality: Insufficient bone volume at the implant site can hinder proper osseointegration (the fusion of implant and bone). A lack of stable bone support can lead to implant mobility and failure.
- Poor Surgical Technique: Improper implant placement, incorrect angle, or inadequate stabilisation during surgery can compromise the implant’s integration process.
- Infection: It can impede the healing process and prevent successful integration. Infections around the implant, known as peri-implantitis, can cause bone loss and implant failure.
- Implant Overloading: Applying excessive pressure or force on the implant soon after surgery can disrupt the healing process and result in implant failure.
- Medical Conditions and Medications: Certain medical conditions and medications can interfere with the body’s ability to heal and integrate the implant.
- Uncontrolled Diabetes: Poorly managed diabetes can hinder the body’s ability to heal, increasing the risk of implant failure.
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Excessive grinding or clenching of teeth can put undue stress on the implant, potentially leading to its failure.
- Lack of Proper Aftercare: Inadequate oral hygiene, failure to follow post-operative instructions, and missed follow-up appointments can contribute to implant failure.
It’s vital to address any issues or complications promptly to increase the chances of successful implant integration. If early implant failure occurs, treatment options might include addressing the underlying cause, such as addressing infection or bone deficiencies, and potentially redoing the implant procedure after the site has healed.
Regular follow-up with your dental professional is crucial to monitor the implant’s progress, identify potential problems early, and ensure proper healing and integration.
Late Dental Implant Failure and Problems
It refers to cases where an implant had initially integrated successfully with the jawbone, but it experiences problems or fails months or even years after the implantation. There are several factors that can contribute to late implant failure:
- Peri-implantitis: This is a condition similar to gum disease but affecting the tissues around dental implants. It can lead to inflammation, infection, and bone loss around the implant, causing it to become loose and eventually fail.
- Mechanical Complications: Wear and tear from chewing forces over time, can cause components of the implant system, such as the abutment or crown, to break or become damaged. This can lead to implant instability and failure.
- Uncontrolled Bruxism: If a patient develops teeth grinding or clenching after implant placement, the excessive forces can negatively impact the implant and surrounding bone.
- Bone Loss: Gradual bone loss around the implant site can weaken its foundation and result in implant failure. This can be due to factors such as poor oral hygiene, infection, or inadequate bone support.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions or treatments, such as radiation therapy, osteoporosis, or autoimmune disorders, can affect the long-term health of the implant.
- Smoking: Continuing to smoke after implant placement can interfere with the body’s ability to heal properly and increase the risk of late implant failure.
- Implant Fracture: Rarely, the implant itself may fracture due to factors like excessive force, poor implant quality, or inherent weaknesses in the implant material.
If you experience any symptoms, such as pain, swelling, mobility of the implant, or changes in the appearance of the surrounding gums, it’s important to seek prompt dental care.
Your dentist will assess the situation, determine the cause of the issue, and recommend appropriate treatment options. Depending on the specific problem, treatments might include deep cleaning around the implant, bone grafting, implant replacement, or other necessary interventions to restore the implant’s function and stability.
Dental Implants Cost
The cost of dental implants can vary depending on your location, the number of implants required, and any additional procedures needed. Some individual circumstances, such as the complexity of the case and the dentist’s experience, also impact the treatment cost. You can consult a dental professional to receive a tailored treatment plan and accurate cost estimate.
Dentistry of Solent – Your Reliable Implant Dentist that Guarantees Long-Term Success
At Dentistry of Solent, we strive to deliver functional results and the confidence to smile brightly once again for the long term. With a commitment to excellence, we provide a reliable solution for those seeking dental implants.
Our experienced team offers meticulous care, employing advanced techniques and technology to ensure optimal outcomes. Whether it’s single implants or complex cases, we prioritise your comfort and oral health. Contact us to discuss.
Also Read: Dental Implants: A Long-term Solution to Missing Teeth
Also Read: Dental Implants – The Realistic Method For Tooth Replacement
