If you have one or more missing teeth, you could potentially benefit from dental implants. Many experts consider them the ideal way to rebuild your smile because of their many unique advantages. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they’re surgically placed in your jawbone for enhanced strength and stability.
These restorations also have an incredibly high success rate of 90% or higher, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely invincible. There are some circumstances in which your dental implant could fail. Continue reading to learn 3 signs that it’s in trouble so you know when to call your dentist for help!
Indicator #1: Instability
After your provider places the titanium rod of your implant into your jaw, the bone eventually fuses around the metal in a process called osseointegration. Once this process is complete, your restoration functions as a sturdy standalone structure in your mouth. This is then capped with a customized dental crown made to look just like your natural teeth for seamless results.
However, bacteria can penetrate the site and develop of type gum disease called peri-implantitis. This infection in your connective tissues can spread to your jawbone and erode the materials so that your new tooth no longer has a firm foundation. If your prosthetic is wiggling or feels loose, it’s time to contact your dental provider.
Indicator #2: Challenges Chewing
Typically, there are very few dietary restrictions for patients who have dental implants because they’re so firmly rooted in your jawbone. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they’re a permanent part of your grin and are, therefore, incredibly unlikely to slip out of place by eating something too hard or sticky.
That said, if you have developed an infection in your gums, they start to pull away from your teeth in an attempt to avoid the illness. This can leave your prosthetic without enough support to remain still when you bite into or chew your food. The longer you wait to address it, the more likely you are to inadvertently damage your restoration.
Indicator #3: Discomfort
It’s normal to feel sore immediately following your procedure because you’ve just had surgery and your mouth needs time to recover. The level of discomfort can vary based on your circumstances, but usually, it peaks around the third day after your appointment then gradually subsides.
If you’re experiencing persistent or severe pain, that’s a sure sign that something has gone wrong. It might be that the titanium rod was positioned too closely to neighboring teeth and is exerting additional pressure on them, or perhaps it’s pressing against a nerve in your jawbone. Aches can also be due to infection and inflammation, so you should call your dentist right away to determine and treat the underlying cause.
Now that you know some of the symptoms of dental implant failure, you can get help as soon as you see the signs!
Meet the Author
Dr. Andrew Glynn is passionate about helping people build and maintain the happiest, healthiest version of their smiles. He earned his dental degree from The Ohio State University and has completed extensive ongoing education in specialty topics like digital dentistry, endodontics, and dental implants, among others. His family-friendly practice is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment so he can complete every step of the dental implant process in the office, including your surgery. You can request an appointment on the website or call (614) 864-4618.