Dental implants, with a remarkable 95% success rate (reported from a trusted source), are generally considered the best long-term solution for missing teeth. This high success rate should instill confidence in most individuals, as they rarely encounter problems. However, for the minuscule number who experience pain, swelling, or movement, it’s crucial to take action promptly, not wait.
Why Dental Implants Sometimes Fail—and What to Do Next
At Riggs Family Dental, we’ve guided numerous patients in your position, who often come in feeling uncertain and anxious about their dental implant issues. Our primary role is to provide clarity and reassurance. Whether you’re seeking answers or a second opinion, we’re here to help. Your comfort, health, and smile are our top priorities, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
We are experts in Dental Implants in Chandler, assisting patients at each step—from placement to complication management—so you can go on confidently.
Understanding Dental Implant Failure: What It Means
Failure of the dental implant happens when the implant fails to bond with the jawbone or when there is damage to the surrounding tissue from infection, trauma, or other causes. Infections such as peri-implantitis are a leading cause of implant failure. Peri-implantitis results in inflammation of the region around the implant and bone loss if not treated.
The other frequent causes are:
- Smoking or a lack of proper oral hygiene
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Bite misalignment
- Too much pressure on the implant
- Failed osseointegration
- Existing gum disease
The good news is that most implant failures can be reversed or the damage rectified if detected early. This should instill a sense of hope and optimism, reassuring you that early detection and professional intervention can often resolve the issue.
Your Role in Preventing Dental Implant Infections
Preventing implant infections begins with you. Regular, correct care at home can go a long way toward reducing complications. Here’s your part:
- Brush and floss around the implant daily (yes, flossing is essential here too).
- Use antimicrobial mouth rinses if recommended.
- Go to your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
- Don’t smoke—it raises failure risk exponentially.
Carefully follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, particularly immediately after implant surgery.
At Riggs Family Dental, prevention is at least as critical as treatment. We spend time with each patient to educate them on caring for their implants for life, not just the initial three months.
What are the early signs of dental implant failure?
Early warning signs are gum inflammation, swelling, pain close to where the implant is, difficulty chewing, or a loose implant. If you’re seeing these symptoms, make an appointment with your Dentist in Chandler, AZ as soon as possible. It is a big difference if you catch issues early.
When to Call a Professional for Early Warning Signs of Dental Implant Infection
Not sure whether your symptoms are a big deal? Here are a few warning signs that you shouldn’t overlook:
- Redness, swelling, or bleeding gums around the implant
- Ongoing pain or discomfort that does not resolve
- Loose-fitting feeling implant
- Unpleasant taste or smell in the area
- Gum recession to where more of the implant is visible
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, visit a trusted Dentist Near 85249 immediately. Early intervention can often save the implant and prevent further damage. We’d rather check something simple than wait until it’s an issue.
Riggs Family Dental also provides Dental Emergency in Chandler, so you don’t have to wait when something urgent arises. We’re equipped to evaluate, treat, and guide you quickly, especially when your oral health is on the line.
What If Your Implant Fails?
So what if your implant can’t be salvaged? Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. Step by step, this is what we do here at Riggs Family Dental to extract a failing implant:
- Local Anesthesia: We ensure that you are entirely comfortable first.
- Removal Process: We carefully extract the implant with minimal damage to the surrounding bone with precise instruments.
- Site Cleaning: We decontaminate the site to remove infection or destroyed tissue.
- Bone Grafting (if required): Should the infection have destroyed your bone, we reconstruct it with a graft.
- Healing Time: You will heal over the next few months while we keep track of your progress.
- Implant Revision: Once the site is healed, we install a new implant utilizing innovative techniques to guarantee success.
- Our mission? Second chance at a healthy, strong, and long-lasting smile.
Can an Infected Dental Implant Heal Naturally? The Real Story from Your Chandler Dentist
- Short answer: No—an infected dental implant won’t heal.
Peri-implant infections are similar to any severe illness in the body—a doctor must treat them. If not treated, it can cause bone loss and permanent implant failure. Home remedies may help alleviate symptoms for a little while but will not treat the underlying problem: bacteria ravaging your gums and bone.
That is why professional care is not a choice. If you reside in the area around 85249 and observe signs of infection, the best action is to have it examined immediately.
Why Professional Treatment is Important for Dental Implant Infections
Dental implant infections are ideally treated with professional skill, rather than do-it-yourself remedies. At Riggs Family Dental, we employ technology such as 3D imaging and digital X-rays to detect the infection and develop targeted treatment. In some cases, a thorough cleaning in the implant area is sufficient. In other cases, surgical extraction and bone grafting might be necessary.
Either way, we’re here to walk you through it and have you feel like your implant is natural and strong again.
Can a failed dental implant be replaced?
Yes, in most instances, it can. Once the failed implant is removed and healing time is allowed—usually aided by bone grafting—a new implant can be successfully placed. This is referred to as a dental implant revision. During this process, we’ll carefully remove the failed implant, clean the area to ensure it’s free from infection, and perform a bone graft to strengthen the area if necessary. Once the site has healed, we’ll install a new implant using innovative techniques to ensure success. This is a standard procedure, and we’ve had excellent outcomes at Riggs Family Dental.
You might also like to read: How Long Do Various Dental Implants Last?
Getting Back on Track With Confidence
If your implant has failed—or you think it may—don’t worry. Implant failure doesn’t equate to failure on your part. It simply means your smile requires a bit more TLC. At Riggs Family Dental, we handle every case with understanding and on an individual basis.
We’ve restored numerous patients in Chandler, AZ, to optimal oral health after implant failure with fantastic outcomes. As respected Chandler Dentists, we’re prepared to do the same for you.
Call to schedule an appointment today, and let us assist you in restoring more than your smile. Let us help you regain your peace of mind.
Still unsure?
Contact us anytime. Do you need a checkup, a second opinion, or are you ready to discuss your implant options? We’re here and ready to assist.
