Preventing dental implant problems: What can we do?
Dental implants work! They’re predictable and they can change your life. Today, more people choose implants over traditional methods of replacing teeth. And most people won’t have to wear dentures anymore. But nothing in life is guaranteed, and no medical procedure enjoys a 100% success rate. Implants aren’t any different. In the last 20 years, the number of implants placed annually has steadily increased.
As these implants have been in people’s mouths for many years, some problems are starting to appear. Some of these problems are due to the same expected normal biological processes that affect teeth. Other problems stem from improper treatment by dentistry professionals with varying levels of clinical training. These problems must be treated carefully and skillfully.
Reasons For Having Dental Implant Problems
There are plenty of reasons why dental implant problems may arise years after they were placed. Problems can occur even when you’re not experiencing any of these conditions:
- Foreign body rejection. A common problem with implants is that they may be rejected by the body. This happens rarely, but it can occur. There are certain symptoms that indicate if your body is rejecting an implant. Swelling, fever, chills and increased pain are the main indicators.
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus, RA, and MS can impair the healing process of your gum tissue and prevent dental implants from bonding properly to the bone.
- Even medications that you take for heart burn can have an effect on the healing process.
- Smoking cigarettes – smoking causes poor circulation, so the gums wouldn’t get enough blood needed for healing.
Most dentists are good at avoiding placing implants where there is gum disease, but sometimes they fail to avoid doing so. An example of this is when they place an implant too near a nerve.
Sometimes, the body will simply view an implant as a foreign object and reject it. This can cause severe pain at the implant site, which may require surgery to remove the implant.
If there were any injuries to the area around the place where the implant would be placed, these could lead to the implant or tooth loosening.
What Signs And Symptoms Should I Look For?
If you suspect a dental implant failure then these are the symptoms that indicate there’s an issue:
- You have difficulty chewing.
- Your swollen face spread to other parts of your body.
- You have inflamed gums.
- You’re experiencing gum recession.
- The implant has gotten loose or unclasped itself.
- You’re feeling a horrible pain.
Complications Of Dental Implant
Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth. They are made out of titanium and are placed into the jawbone where they fuse with bone tissue. Once fused, they act just like natural teeth. Implants are considered one of the best ways to restore your smile because they allow you to eat whatever foods you desire without worrying about damaging them. In addition, implants are very durable and last for decades if cared for properly. Because of these benefits, implants are often recommended for people who have lost multiple teeth due to gum disease or trauma.
Infection
When an infection occurs, it’s usually because bacteria got into the gums through the teeth that were removed. If the implant wasn’t placed correctly, there may be a space between the implant and the surrounding bone where bacteria can get into.
What Sort Of Infection Can Occur After Dental Implants?
Usually, dental implant infection occurs when there’s an inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the implants. It may be accompanied by swelling and bleeding. Sometimes, however, the infection spreads into the jawbone, causing bone loss.
Gums infected by dental implants usually heal quickly without any treatment. However, if the infection persists for longer than two weeks, then it may need to be treated with antibiotics.
If an infection occurs after dental implants, you may need to take strong antibiotics for several weeks and then have the implant removed in case the infection spreads into the surrounding tissue. If the infection becomes too serious, part of the jaw bone may become infected and will have to be surgically removed.
Do dental implants cause teeth or blood vessels damage?
Dentist may be able to help by taking an X-ray and examining your mouth thoroughly to see if there are any potential issues. Yes, infection at the implant site. Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels.
What causes such injury/damage?
If you’re concerned about the possibility of damaging the root of a nearby natural tooth when inserting an implant, you may want to speak to your dentist for professional advice and assurance.
A damaged tooth or blood vessel may need a filling or cap to cover up the hole and protect the pulp. Root canals may be needed if the pulp has been damaged.
Do dental implants cause nerve damage?
During dental implant treatment, nerve damage can occur if the implant is placed too close (within 1/2 inch) to the main nerve running though the jawbone. If you experience any symptoms of nerve damage, contact us immediately for further evaluation.
What causes nerve damage?
During your dental implant surgery, your dentist may accidentally hit the nerves running through the lower jawline. To prevent any damage, your dentist should carefully plan your procedure so there’s no contact between the nerves and the implants.
Most often, nerve damage during dental implants treatment is minor and does not require removal of the dental implant. To treat and repair the nerve after removing the dental implant, the dentist will evaluate the nerve and may recommend medication to reduce any discomfort. Your dentist will also determine if further surgery is needed to repair the nerve.
Do dental implants cause sinus problems?
Damage to the sinus cavities can occur during dental implant surgery to the upper jaw. Bones in our faces are hollow, and the spaces within them are called sinuses; if the surgeon does not have enough bone to place the implant, the bone may be punctured. If a bone is punctured, this can cause damage the sinus cavity and pose the risk of an infection.
What causes sinus problems?
When having dental implants placed in the upper jaw, damage can occur if the bones in the face get perforated by tools used during the procedure. If this happens, the dental implant may need to be removed and the bone repaird before a new one is inserted.
Here are some tips for avoiding common dental implant problems.
Many people who consider dental implants may be concerned about potential complications. Fortunately, however, many of these complications can be avoided. Here’s how to prevent some of the most common ones.
Choose A Qualified Dentist
Make sure you work closely with a qualified dentist or oral surgeon for your dental implant procedure; an inexperienced or careless practitioner could cause any number of problems, including poor bonding between the titanium post and bone. Ask about your dentist’s experience with implants before scheduling a procedure.
Tell them everything.
Even though most people who need dental implants are good candidates for them, not disclosing everything could lead to potential bad outcomes. It is important to tell your dentist about every aspect of your medical history and health.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Make sure to follow your dentist’s post-procedure instructions regarding your dental implant(s) both immediately after the procedure, and over the long term. If you don’t, it could result in an infection.
Quit Smoking
Oral hygiene is important for dental implants. Experts agree that smoking is bad for your oral health and causes gum disease, which can lead to implant failure. We recommend that dental implant patients stop smoking.
Report Problems Immediately
Some issues with dental implants occur after your treatment. For example, a new sinus infection might cause pain. If the nearby tissues do not heal correctly, you might experience too much bleeding and discomfort. It’s very important to let your dentist know about any problems you’re experiencing right away, so he or she can help you get back to feeling better. The longer an issue persists without being resolved, the longer it could potentially take for your implants to recover.
Routine Check-Ups
Regular check-ups should be a given, but we all get so busy. To keep up with a regular dental check-in schedule, make sure to set an appointment for your next visit.