Many people look forward to the comprehensive replacement of missing teeth with dental implants. These fixtures will restore smile aesthetics and oral function while also preventing other dental complications that can occur after tooth loss.
A dentist will thoroughly evaluate a patient’s oral health to ensure they are a good candidate for implant dentistry before pursuing this treatment. However, on rare occasions, an implant might fail.
If this happens, the implanted device can feel loose or unstable, and a patient might feel severe pain. Even if the symptoms seem tolerable, you should contact your dentist right away to fix the problem. Patients can face a high risk of infection if they have a failing dental implant.
Knowing more about this dental emergency can help you avoid it after this treatment. Read on to learn about how to prevent dental implant failure and more.
What Is Dental Implant Failure?
A dental implant features a titanium post anchor which a dentist surgically places into a patient’s jawbone. As they recover from the procedure, the anchor fuses with the bone to establish the solid foundation that supports the rest of the implant.
Follow your dentist’s aftercare guidelines during this time so that you can heal and ensure this fusion process goes without a hitch. If this process does not occur successfully, then the implant may feel wobbly and loose. This points to a failure of the implant.
When the implant does not fit as securely in the jaw as it should, you may see large amounts of swelling and bleeding along with pain. Intense pain that is not relieved with management advice from your dentist can point to a dental emergency. Do not wait to tell your dentist about this problem or you could face further dental complications.
How Can I Prevent Dental Implant Failure?
Before you receive a dental implant, a dentist will evaluate your dental structure and health to determine your eligibility for the treatment. They will ensure that you possess enough healthy jawbone and gum tissue to sustain the implant fixture. If you do not, then you may need a bone or gum graft to build stability in this area of the mouth.
This pre-emptive evaluation ensures you have a low risk of dental implant failure. But you should adhere to your dentist’s aftercare instructions to further minimize this danger to your implant and your smile. Keep your surgical sites and the rest of your mouth clean but avoid irritating the new implants.
Practice thorough but careful oral hygiene before, during, and after your implant treatment. If you contract gum disease, tooth decay, or another dental issue, your mouth could change. And then this will affect the fit of your implants.
Dental implants do not require extra maintenance beyond your usual oral hygiene routine. But you should make sure you continue your good oral habits to maximize the benefits of these dental fixtures. Consult with your dentist to learn more about this treatment and how to protect your oral appliances.