Can dental implants fail?

Dental implants have a very high success rate, but can fail in cases where a patient is not a suitable candidate for treatment.

Dental implants have become an increasingly important part of modern dentistry and are a popular solution for people suffering tooth loss.

They’re an effective treatment, and help to restore both the function and aesthetics of one’s smile. But do they always work? Well dental implants have a very high success rate, but there is a small chance for them to fail.

What can make dental implants fail?

Gum disease can lead to dental implant failure

It’s very important that your gums are healthy before you undergo dental implant surgery. Gum disease causes damage and deterioration of the gums, as well as the jaw bone if left untreated.

When gum disease is left untreated, the infection can worsen and spread to the area around an implant causing it to fail. If you would like to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, we highly recommend that you begin by seeing your dentist for a check-up and clean.

Your dentist will identify any gum disease or other issues and provide treatment before beginning the implant process.

Smoking can lead to dental implant failure

If you are a smoker and are considering getting a dental implant,  consider quitting before beginning treatment or visiting the dentist.

Smoking hinders the flow of blood to the gums, which tends to slow down the healing process. Better results and a higher success rate can generally be achieved if you stop smoking at least a week before your procedure and don’t smoke for at least two months after your dental implant has been placed.

Sufficient jaw bone is essential for dental implants

In some cases, the degradation of jaw bone occurs as a result of severe gum disease, as well as health conditions such as osteoporosis.

A dental implant needs enough healthy jaw bone to support it. If you do not have sufficient jaw bone, it is not possible to place an implant successfully.

Sometimes, it is possible for your specialist dentist to perform a bone graft, which involves the transfer of bone from another part of your body or the use of a synthetic bone material.

How can Kitchener Street Dental help you?

At Kitchener Street Dental, we offer dental implants to patients who are looking for a solution to one or more missing teeth. In order to make sure that you are suited to the treatment and to reduce the risk of implant failure, we begin the process with a thorough health assessment.

During this assessment, your dentist will determine whether or not you are suitable for an implant or not. If there is insufficient bone and support in the underlying jaw structure, you may need to be referred to a specialist for a bone graft.

If a dental implant is not the right option for you, our team will be able recommend another treatment. We offer a number of alternatives to traditional dental implants, including implant supported dentures, crowns and bridges.

Find our more information on dental implants.

If you are ready to make an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice!