Dental Implant Salvage

Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

There are only a few reasons why a dental implant might fail, including:

• Peri-implantitis: This is the most common cause of dental implant failure, and it’s often the result of poor oral hygiene. If bacteria infect the gums around the dental implant, the supportive tissues that hold the implant in place can be permanently damaged and the dental implant may fail.
• Failed osseointegration: If the dental implant does not properly fuse with the jawbone, it may not have the support it needs to stay in place
• Physical trauma or medical conditions: If the area around the dental implant becomes injured or if a disease such as cancer interferes with the body’s natural healing abilities, the dental implant may fail.

Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant

Dental implant failure can happen shortly after the placement surgery, or it may occur years or decades later. Symptoms of dental implant failure include:

• Long-lasting or severe pain around the dental implant
• A loose feeling in the dental implant
• Bleeding, swelling, or pus around the dental implant
• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing

How Dental Implant Salvage Works

If you exhibit any of the above signs of dental implant failure or if you are concerned about the wellbeing of your dental implants, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’ll schedule an appointment for you right away, wherein we’ll examine your mouth to determine the issue. From there, we’ll discuss your treatment options.

In some cases, we may be able to save the dental implant with a deep cleaning, antibiotics, or other infection control measure. In more severe cases, Dr. LoCastro may recommend a surgical periodontal treatment like osseous surgery or bone grafting to strengthen the foundation of your dental implant and stop infection. Sometimes this can be done while the dental implant is in place, but other times, we may need to remove the implant and replace it once your treatment is complete.