Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsCausesWhat to DoPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs
Causes
What to Do
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implantshave been growing in popularity as a means of replacing missing teeth. With this method, oral surgeons or periodontists (a dentist who specializes in procedures for gum disease and dental implants) permanently affix natural-looking false teeth customized and color-matched to fit into your smile. This multi-stage procedure has a very high success rate, with 90%-95% of implants lasting without an issue for 15 years or longer.
In other cases, however, dental implant failure can cause the implant to feel loose and contribute to chewing difficulties and pain, among other symptoms. Many factors can increase the risk of this happening, such as having certain medical conditions, infection at the implant site (peri-implantitis), or complications of the surgery.
This article provides an overview of what can go wrong with dental implants, what you can do if you experience implant failure, as well as how to prevent this issue.
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Signs that your dental implant is failing include:
Causes of Dental Implant Failure
Teeth Grinding
Clinically referred to as “bruxism,” teeth grinding or gnashing can challenge the success of a dental implant. The pressure placed on the implant early in the process can affect osseointegration, causing instability and implant failure.Managing this condition may be critical in ensuring success of the tooth replacement.
Allergic Reaction
In rare cases, people have allergic reactions to the titanium used for the abutment. As the implant undergoes osseointegration, titanium ions may spread to surrounding bones and tissues. In those with sensitivity, this can cause:
In severe cases,allergy to titaniumhas systemic effects, leading to necrosis (cellular death in the bone), neurological problems, chronic pain, and other issues.
Poor Impressions
The crown of the dental implant (the false tooth) needs to be precisely matched to the surrounding teeth; there needs to be a perfect fit. Critical for this is that the dentist take a goodimpression, which is a cast that’s used to create a replica of your teeth, and bite registration.
If something goes wrong with this process, there’s a chance the prosthetic tooth will not properly fit into your mouth, which can cause a range of issues and lead to implant failure.
Infection
Infection of the gums around the dental implant, or peri-implant diseases, can also lead to failure. In a similar fashion to periodontitis, bacteria in the mouth form along the abutment at and below the gum line, eventually irritating and damaging the surrounding tissue.
There are primary types of peri-implant diseases:
Nerve Damage
If something goes wrong during dental implant surgery, surrounding nerves can become impacted or damaged. This can lead to persistent pain, numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the mouth.These cases may warrant work with an orofacial pain specialist, a dentist who specializes in pain disorders of the mouth, jaw, and face.
Implant Micromovement
Slight shifts in the position of the implant can also be a cause of failure. This happens during the period of osseointegration—which can take over two weeks—as the abutment remains mobile and susceptible to pressure.This instability can worsen and impacts the incorporation of the dental implant.
Bone Support Issues
The bone of themaxilla(upper jaw) ormandible(lower jaw) needs to be strong enough to support the dental implant. This essential bone material can weaken due to periodontal disease, trauma or fracture, tumors, and other health conditions.Insufficiency here can cause failure and warrants treatment.
Medical Conditions
Underlying conditions can also lead to dental implant failure, which is why a health evaluation is a necessary pre-requisite for surgery. Your body needs to be in good enough shape to take on the impact and recover from implantation.
Several factors increase the likelihood of complications and failure:
An Inexperienced Surgeon
When it comes to a complicated, multi-stage procedure like dental implant surgery, there isn’t a lot of room to make even small mistakes. Some dental implant failures are the fault of the oral surgeon, occurring due to poor placement of the abutment, or unintentional damage to surrounding tissues and bone.
Learn About Your SurgeonAsk your surgeon about their experience with dental implant surgery and learn as much as you can about them. It’s worth weighing your options; a more experienced provider may be a better choice as they may be less likely to make mistakes.
Learn About Your Surgeon
Ask your surgeon about their experience with dental implant surgery and learn as much as you can about them. It’s worth weighing your options; a more experienced provider may be a better choice as they may be less likely to make mistakes.
What to Do if Your Dental Implant Fails
The first step in taking care of an issue is knowing when to call for help. If you’ve had a dental implant, call your oral surgeon or healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:
Replacement
If the dentist has determined your implant is likely to fail, replacement can be considered. Depending on the case, the existing prosthetic can be either pulled out like a tooth or extracted with surgery.
You’ll need to undergo a significant period of healing before a new abutment can be put in; it takes six months or more for your bone and tissues to recover.Additionally, underlying health factors that lead to the failure need to be addressed.
Bone Grafting
If the bone surrounding a failed implant doesn’t heal well or isn’t strong enough, your oral surgeon may considerbone grafting. The goal of this procedure is to reinforce the jaw with transplanted bone material. This can be either harvested from another part of the body, grown from tissue in a lab, or made of synthetic materials.
Alternative Methods
There are other options for replacing missing teeth, worth considering if replacing your dental implant seems like a risky option. These options include:
Preventing dental implant failure means being attentive to your oral surgeon or periodontist’s recommendations and keeping up withgood oral hygiene. This means:
Preparation and PlanningDental implant surgery, though highly successful, is a commitment. This is a multi-step, invasive procedure, so it’s important to be prepared and have a plan. Ask your dentist to explain what you can expect as you recover from surgery and keep up with follow-up appointments and cleaning.Make sure you’re taking good care of your teeth, too, as poor oral hygiene is a frequent cause of dental implant failure.
Preparation and Planning
Dental implant surgery, though highly successful, is a commitment. This is a multi-step, invasive procedure, so it’s important to be prepared and have a plan. Ask your dentist to explain what you can expect as you recover from surgery and keep up with follow-up appointments and cleaning.Make sure you’re taking good care of your teeth, too, as poor oral hygiene is a frequent cause of dental implant failure.
Dental implant surgery, though highly successful, is a commitment. This is a multi-step, invasive procedure, so it’s important to be prepared and have a plan. Ask your dentist to explain what you can expect as you recover from surgery and keep up with follow-up appointments and cleaning.
Make sure you’re taking good care of your teeth, too, as poor oral hygiene is a frequent cause of dental implant failure.
Summary
Dental implants are a common solution to replacing missing teeth. While most dental implants are placed without issue, it is possible for them to fail.
Reasons for dental implant failure include teeth grinding, an allergic reaction to the materials used, poorly made dental impressions, infection, nerve damage, movement of the implant, issues with underlying jawbones, and various medication conditions. There are methods to fix these reasons for failure, but it can be a long and invasive process.
Your dentist can help you determine if dental implants are a good fit for you. They may recommend that you go with an alternative method such as dental bridges, partial dentures, or full dentures.
A Word From Verywell
Having a dental implant is about more than just enhancing your smile, it can help prevent the many health issues associated with missing teeth. However, a range of factors can increase the chance of dental implant failure, which is why the decision to undergo this procedure shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’re thinking about filling that gap in your teeth, talk to your dentist about your options.
Frequently Asked QuestionsDental implants are designed to look like your surrounding teeth. Not only are they shaped to fit in with your smile and bite perfectly, but they are also color-matched and have a natural, attractive look.Learn MoreThe Options for Direct and Indirect Dental RestorationIn terms of overall costs, a good deal depends on the extent of the work you need, as well as your insurance plan. For single tooth implants, costs range from $3,000 to $4,000.If more teeth need replacing, the amount can grow considerably; talk to your dentist or orthodontist’s staff about financing options, if necessary.Learn MoreBest Dental InsuranceYou’ll be numbed or put to sleep for the dental implantation procedure, so that will be painless. While you may experience mild pain and tenderness for a couple of days after surgery, once it’s fully in position, it shouldn’t hurt.If pain worsens or persists after the first week, let your dentist know.Learn MoreDental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to KnowDental implants are designed to be permanent replacements for missing teeth, so they’re very durable. They’re expected to last at least 15 to 25 years with good oral hygiene.Learn MoreOral Hygiene TipsAs the name implies, mini dental implants are smaller than standard-sized ones. They have the same principle design—a post, or abutment, with a prosthetic tooth attached. Whereas this abutment in standard implants is 3.8 to 5 millimeters (mm) in diameter, it’s less than 3.3 millimeters in mini implants.These are considered when sufficient bone mass or strength is a concern.Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Dental implants are designed to look like your surrounding teeth. Not only are they shaped to fit in with your smile and bite perfectly, but they are also color-matched and have a natural, attractive look.Learn MoreThe Options for Direct and Indirect Dental Restoration
Dental implants are designed to look like your surrounding teeth. Not only are they shaped to fit in with your smile and bite perfectly, but they are also color-matched and have a natural, attractive look.
Learn MoreThe Options for Direct and Indirect Dental Restoration
In terms of overall costs, a good deal depends on the extent of the work you need, as well as your insurance plan. For single tooth implants, costs range from $3,000 to $4,000.If more teeth need replacing, the amount can grow considerably; talk to your dentist or orthodontist’s staff about financing options, if necessary.Learn MoreBest Dental Insurance
In terms of overall costs, a good deal depends on the extent of the work you need, as well as your insurance plan. For single tooth implants, costs range from $3,000 to $4,000.If more teeth need replacing, the amount can grow considerably; talk to your dentist or orthodontist’s staff about financing options, if necessary.
Learn MoreBest Dental Insurance
You’ll be numbed or put to sleep for the dental implantation procedure, so that will be painless. While you may experience mild pain and tenderness for a couple of days after surgery, once it’s fully in position, it shouldn’t hurt.If pain worsens or persists after the first week, let your dentist know.Learn MoreDental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
You’ll be numbed or put to sleep for the dental implantation procedure, so that will be painless. While you may experience mild pain and tenderness for a couple of days after surgery, once it’s fully in position, it shouldn’t hurt.If pain worsens or persists after the first week, let your dentist know.
Learn MoreDental Implant Procedure: Everything You Need to Know
Dental implants are designed to be permanent replacements for missing teeth, so they’re very durable. They’re expected to last at least 15 to 25 years with good oral hygiene.Learn MoreOral Hygiene Tips
Dental implants are designed to be permanent replacements for missing teeth, so they’re very durable. They’re expected to last at least 15 to 25 years with good oral hygiene.
Learn MoreOral Hygiene Tips
As the name implies, mini dental implants are smaller than standard-sized ones. They have the same principle design—a post, or abutment, with a prosthetic tooth attached. Whereas this abutment in standard implants is 3.8 to 5 millimeters (mm) in diameter, it’s less than 3.3 millimeters in mini implants.These are considered when sufficient bone mass or strength is a concern.Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
As the name implies, mini dental implants are smaller than standard-sized ones. They have the same principle design—a post, or abutment, with a prosthetic tooth attached. Whereas this abutment in standard implants is 3.8 to 5 millimeters (mm) in diameter, it’s less than 3.3 millimeters in mini implants.These are considered when sufficient bone mass or strength is a concern.
Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chitumalla R, Halini Kumari K, Mohapatra A, Parihar A, Anand K, Katragadda P.Assessment of survival rate of dental implants in patients with bruxism: a 5-year retrospective study.Contemp Clin Dent. 2018;9(6):278. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_258_18AAOMS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Are dental implants safe? Pros and cons of dental implants.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dental implants: what you should know.American Dental Association.Dental implants.Comino-Garayoa R, Cortés-Bretón Brinkmann J, Peláez J, López-Suárez C, Martínez-González J, Suárez M.Allergies to titanium dental implants: what do we really know about them? A scoping review.Biology (Basel). 2020;9(11):404. doi:10.3390/biology9110404Baseri M, Radmand F, Hamedi R, Yousefi M, Kafil H.Immunological aspects of dental implant rejection.Biomed Res Int. 2020:1-12. doi:10.1155/2020/7279509American Academy of Periodontology.Peri-implant diseases.Kohli N, Stoddart J, van Arkel R.The limit of tolerable micromotion for implant osseointegration: a systematic review.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90142-5Mittal Y, Jindal G, Garg S.Bone manipulation procedures in dental implants.Indian J Dent. 2016;7(2):86. doi:10.4103/0975-962x.184650Anand E.Dental implants failure (responsibility, symptoms & what to do). NewMouth.Kumar P, Fathima G, Vinitha B.Bone grafts in dentistry.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2013;5(5):125. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.113312Hill A.4 types of dental implants (procedure, costs, pros & cons). NewMouth.Asmussen N, Elyassi I.Mini dental implants: Cost, reviews, and procedure. Dentaly.org.Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association.Dental implants.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chitumalla R, Halini Kumari K, Mohapatra A, Parihar A, Anand K, Katragadda P.Assessment of survival rate of dental implants in patients with bruxism: a 5-year retrospective study.Contemp Clin Dent. 2018;9(6):278. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_258_18AAOMS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Are dental implants safe? Pros and cons of dental implants.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dental implants: what you should know.American Dental Association.Dental implants.Comino-Garayoa R, Cortés-Bretón Brinkmann J, Peláez J, López-Suárez C, Martínez-González J, Suárez M.Allergies to titanium dental implants: what do we really know about them? A scoping review.Biology (Basel). 2020;9(11):404. doi:10.3390/biology9110404Baseri M, Radmand F, Hamedi R, Yousefi M, Kafil H.Immunological aspects of dental implant rejection.Biomed Res Int. 2020:1-12. doi:10.1155/2020/7279509American Academy of Periodontology.Peri-implant diseases.Kohli N, Stoddart J, van Arkel R.The limit of tolerable micromotion for implant osseointegration: a systematic review.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90142-5Mittal Y, Jindal G, Garg S.Bone manipulation procedures in dental implants.Indian J Dent. 2016;7(2):86. doi:10.4103/0975-962x.184650Anand E.Dental implants failure (responsibility, symptoms & what to do). NewMouth.Kumar P, Fathima G, Vinitha B.Bone grafts in dentistry.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2013;5(5):125. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.113312Hill A.4 types of dental implants (procedure, costs, pros & cons). NewMouth.Asmussen N, Elyassi I.Mini dental implants: Cost, reviews, and procedure. Dentaly.org.Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association.Dental implants.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chitumalla R, Halini Kumari K, Mohapatra A, Parihar A, Anand K, Katragadda P.Assessment of survival rate of dental implants in patients with bruxism: a 5-year retrospective study.Contemp Clin Dent. 2018;9(6):278. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_258_18AAOMS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Are dental implants safe? Pros and cons of dental implants.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dental implants: what you should know.American Dental Association.Dental implants.Comino-Garayoa R, Cortés-Bretón Brinkmann J, Peláez J, López-Suárez C, Martínez-González J, Suárez M.Allergies to titanium dental implants: what do we really know about them? A scoping review.Biology (Basel). 2020;9(11):404. doi:10.3390/biology9110404Baseri M, Radmand F, Hamedi R, Yousefi M, Kafil H.Immunological aspects of dental implant rejection.Biomed Res Int. 2020:1-12. doi:10.1155/2020/7279509American Academy of Periodontology.Peri-implant diseases.Kohli N, Stoddart J, van Arkel R.The limit of tolerable micromotion for implant osseointegration: a systematic review.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90142-5Mittal Y, Jindal G, Garg S.Bone manipulation procedures in dental implants.Indian J Dent. 2016;7(2):86. doi:10.4103/0975-962x.184650Anand E.Dental implants failure (responsibility, symptoms & what to do). NewMouth.Kumar P, Fathima G, Vinitha B.Bone grafts in dentistry.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2013;5(5):125. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.113312Hill A.4 types of dental implants (procedure, costs, pros & cons). NewMouth.Asmussen N, Elyassi I.Mini dental implants: Cost, reviews, and procedure. Dentaly.org.
Chitumalla R, Halini Kumari K, Mohapatra A, Parihar A, Anand K, Katragadda P.Assessment of survival rate of dental implants in patients with bruxism: a 5-year retrospective study.Contemp Clin Dent. 2018;9(6):278. doi:10.4103/ccd.ccd_258_18
AAOMS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Are dental implants safe? Pros and cons of dental implants.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Dental implants: what you should know.
American Dental Association.Dental implants.
Comino-Garayoa R, Cortés-Bretón Brinkmann J, Peláez J, López-Suárez C, Martínez-González J, Suárez M.Allergies to titanium dental implants: what do we really know about them? A scoping review.Biology (Basel). 2020;9(11):404. doi:10.3390/biology9110404
Baseri M, Radmand F, Hamedi R, Yousefi M, Kafil H.Immunological aspects of dental implant rejection.Biomed Res Int. 2020:1-12. doi:10.1155/2020/7279509
American Academy of Periodontology.Peri-implant diseases.
Kohli N, Stoddart J, van Arkel R.The limit of tolerable micromotion for implant osseointegration: a systematic review.Sci Rep. 2021;11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90142-5
Mittal Y, Jindal G, Garg S.Bone manipulation procedures in dental implants.Indian J Dent. 2016;7(2):86. doi:10.4103/0975-962x.184650
Anand E.Dental implants failure (responsibility, symptoms & what to do). NewMouth.
Kumar P, Fathima G, Vinitha B.Bone grafts in dentistry.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2013;5(5):125. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.113312
Hill A.4 types of dental implants (procedure, costs, pros & cons). NewMouth.
Asmussen N, Elyassi I.Mini dental implants: Cost, reviews, and procedure. Dentaly.org.
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