The failure rate for dental implants is incredibly low provided they are properly placed by an experienced oral surgeon, as the success rate can be as high as 99%. But this does mean failure can happen, and the most common reason is due to lack of integration with the surrounding bone. In a successful surgery, after an implant is placed then it gradually integrates with the natural bone, and the bone cells begin to grow on the surface of the implant giving it biological and mechanical retention within the jaw.
It is interesting to note that implant failure depends on the person getting the implants as well as the dentist placing them. Regardless of the area in the world – the actual doctor and office providing the implants have a great difference in the success rate. This is due to the skill and education of the dentist as well as the quality of the facility, staff and materials used. This is true for houston dental implants like anywhere else.
Very occasionally soft tissue cells can migrate in between the surface of the dental implant and the bone, making bone integration just about impossible. In such cases a soft tissue layer will develop in between the bone and the implant, and the implant will begin to feel loose and mobile, and it’s likely to feel painful if pressure is applied due to the lack of integration. This usually happens due to poor technique during surgery, or can occur due to the implant being loaded too early.
Another reason for implant failure is infection which is always a risk with any type of surgery, but it’s relatively rare. The trouble is once the implant becomes infected the surface is contaminated and prognosis is poor. Although antibiotics can be given to try to manage the infection, unfortunately they tend to be ineffective.
If you are experiencing problems with your implant then your dentist may advocate a ‘wait and see’ approach. While it might be comforting to imagine the situation will improve, the hard truth is it’s unlikely to do so. Once an implant has become infected, or has failed to integrate properly then there’s very little that can be done to improve its chances of success. Simply watching and waiting is likely to make the problem even worse, and could lead to further destruction of the bone and even more complications.
A good oral surgeon will recommend removing a dental implant as soon as becomes infected or is diagnosed as being non-integrated. After it has been removed then the site needs to be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to heal for several months before another implant placement can be attempted. Sometimes it may be necessary to carry out a bone graft to improve the chances of success. Provided the proper techniques are applied, and the tissue is properly managed, then failed implants can often be replaced quite successfully.
Although an implant failure will add considerably to the treatment time, and will require more surgeries, it’s still the best and most permanent option for replacing one or more missing teeth. It’s important to bear in mind that such implant failures are rare.
