Most of the time when dental implants are used to replace missing teeth, they are successful in restoring your mouth’s appearance and function. However, there are some instances when implants fail. It’s important to know what to watch out for so that you don’t fall into that category.
Rooted into jaw
Dental implants are surgically implanted into your jawbone. They normally join with your jaw and eventually become an indistinguishable part of your jaw. They function and feel like your real teeth. Sometimes the process of joining with your jaw doesn’t occur properly, or the tooth may not be set securely in your jaw. In these cases, problems will result.
Signs of problems
No matter what causes your implants to fail, there are signs that often occur to indicate something is wrong. You may experience pain in your mouth, and your implants may be loose. They might also give the sensation of being hotter than the rest of your jaw. Issues like these warrant an immediate visit to your dentist for an examination.
What can happen without treatment
If you don’t see your dentist for treatment, failed implants can cause severe infections that may result in damage to your jawbone. Portions of your bone can break if the implants aren’t placed correctly or repaired when a problem arises.
Treatment options
If your implants are completely loose in your jaw, the entire unit may require replacement. Another option is to add additional screws to support the bone, and bone grafts may also be needed to strengthen the bone. One main reason for failed implants is that the jaw wasn’t healthy enough to begin with, so make sure you ask your dentist if you are a good candidate for this type of restoration.