Avoid These Causes of Dental Implant Failure
More than 3 million people in America have dental implants to treat tooth loss. The popularity of implant dentistry is continuing to grow thanks to the many benefits of treatment. In fact, many people in the Marietta, GA area have come to Verde Pointe Dental Associates asking about dental implants and if they are right for them.
Dr. Kirk Kimmerling, Dr. Garrick McGrath, and Dr. Lincoln Fantaski would like to take a moment to go over the risks of dental implant failure. We’ll list some common causes and offer our advice on how to prevent these problems from happening.
Lack of Sufficient Bone Density
If a patient does not have sufficient bone density in place along their dental arch, the chances of successful osseointegration (fusion of the implant with the bone) are low. Even if osseointegration happens, the lack of bone density could mean a weaker hold for the dental implants when they are placed, making treatment failure more likely.
These issues can be prevented by proper pre-planning during the consultation process. If a patient lacks sufficient bone density, they should undergo a bone grafting procedure to add hard tissue to the jawbone prior to getting dental implants.
Inexperienced Dentists and Oral Surgeons
When an implant dentistry procedure is performed by inexperienced dentists and oral surgeons, the chances of a treatment failure are high. Dentists and oral surgeons who lack experience may not notice telltale warning signs of implant failure or poor candidacy for implants. The surgical procedure itself may not be planned properly or performed optimally, resulting in complications that can increase the risk of failure.
Thankfully, people in the Marietta area can rely on the experience and good judgement of Drs. Kimmerling, McGrath, and Fantaski. Always work with dental health specialists you can trust and have a good track record.
Gum Disease and Periodontal Health Issues
Lack of gum density going into dental implant surgery can increase the risk of failure, though there are other periodontal health problems worth considering a well. Periodontal disease is a bacteria infection of the gum tissue. If this occurs during post-op recovery, the chances of implant failure prior to osseointegration increase.
Proper pre-op treatment will ensure the gums are healthy going into the procedure. Good oral hygiene after getting dental implants placed will help reduce the risk of gum disease as well.
Slow Healing Times
When patients experience slow healing times after any sort of surgery, the risks of infection and complications increase. This is because the affected tissue is not allowed to heal properly. With dental implants, failure could come in the crucial days or weeks after oral surgery because of poor recovery times.
The best way to speed up patient recovery is to focus on rest after your surgery. Follow all pre-op and post-op instructions provided by your oral surgeon in order to ensure optimal conditions as you recover.
Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is an infection of the gum tissue around the dental implant. It can occur after the oral surgery or in the months or years after the surgery is completed. It poses a threat that is just as serious as gum disease.
To avoid peri-implantitis, proper oral hygiene is essential. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a week. Avoid smoking and the use of tobacco products as well as these have been shown to increase the risk of gum disease.
Learn More About Implant Dentistry
If you live in the Marietta area and would like to learn more about dental implants, be sure to contact our skilled team of cosmetic and restorative dentist. You can reach the team at Verde Pointe Dental Associates by phone at (770) 423-4900.
