Rarely does a dental implant fail. Currently, the success rate is between 94 and 96 percent. Nevertheless, there are reasons dental implants are not always successful. Seldom is the patient initially responsible for the failure of a dental implant.

Causes of dental implant failure happen because of one of the following reasons.

Failed Osseointegration

This is a fancy way to say the implant failed to fuse with the jawbone. This occurs for several reasons listed below.

  • Inaccurate placement of the implant prevents bone growth around it.
  • The jawbone lacks enough bone density or volume to hold the implant.
  • Damage to the tissue around the implant prevents proper fusion.
  • The implant exceeds the jawbone’s capacity to fully support it.
  • Infection or inflammation occurs around the implant.

Any of these conditions ultimately results in a loss or lack of bone structure to support the implant. Most of the time, an implant does not fuse with the bone because putting it in a weak jawbone is a prescription for failure.

Jawbone assessment is the most important part of the implant process. The dentist must measure the jawbone’s dimensions and density to determine its integrity.

Question: So, does having a jawbone lacking in bone structure disqualify you from getting a successful dental implant?

 

Answer: Absolutely not. Dental bone grafts, sinus lifts and other procedures can rebuild the solid bone mass in your jaw.

Peri-Implantitis

This is a dental implant infection. An infection causes inflammation in the gum tissue and bone surrounding the implant. This results in critical loss of the supporting bone.

Causes of dental implant failures due to peri-implantitis typically happen because of these reasons.

 

  • Dental instruments or the implant itself introduce bacteria to the implant site. Improper sterilization techniques create an environment for bacteria to grow.
  • Patients who smoke have a higher failure rate. Smoking constricts the blood vessels. Constricted blood vessels cannot carry enough blood to help jawbone growth. The result is not only lack of growth, but bone loss as well.
  • Patients with controlled diabetes. The healing process for any medical or dental procedure performed on a diabetic is much slower than the normal healing process. There is a higher risk of post-surgical complications.
  • Patients with suppressed immune systems seldom can fight oral infections.
  • Poor dental hygiene allows bacteria to grow and spread. Brushing two to three times a day for at least two to five minutes and flossing is necessary to maintain implants. Sometimes, older adults cannot reach all the tooth and gum areas that need cleaning.
  • Patients with thin gums have inadequate protection for the bone. This exposes the bone to decay and infection. Gum grafts can prevent this issue.

Nerve and Tissue Damage Occurring During the Implant

When an inexperienced dentist does your dental implant procedure, they can damage nerves and tissues around or near the implant site. Sometimes, a year or more goes by before you notice this damage.

  • Incorrect drilling damages the roots of surrounding teeth.
  • Implants placed too close to the nerve, causing numbness, tingling and pain.
  • Perforating the sinus during the implant surgery. A sinus lift allows build-up of the bone and usually prevents sinus perforation.

Symptoms: Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to severe pain at the implant site. Sometimes, the implant simply falls out after a year or more.

As a patient, the best thing you can do to prevent a dental implant failure is locate the top-rated Los Angeles dentist to do your dental implant.

Frankly, if you plan to get dental implants in the greater Los Angeles, CA area, look for the best dentist in Los Angeles to take care of you. Although a general dentist might offer dental implant services, it does not mean they should. A