What Can Cause Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implants have a high rate of success, 95% or higher, according to studies. Complications can happen that lead to implant failure, though. Failure occurs when the implant does not integrate with the jawbone properly. Our restorative dentists in Foley, AL, believe the key to preventing this from happening is understanding the risk factors.
What Causes Dental Implant Failure?
Failures typically occur either early in the implant process or later after they are set in place. In the early stages, the failure is due to poor healing of the bone. Later on, it usually involves maintenance. To better understand why dental implants fail, we can break the risk factors down into categories.
Early Risk Factors
Dental implants are screw-like posts that our oral surgeon in Foley, AL, plants into the jawbone. Once in place, the bone will heal around the post during osseointegration.
Dental implants that fail early on do so because something interferes with the osseointegration of the post. It might be a bacterial infection or trauma to the face or jaw. In some cases, there isn’t enough healthy bone to stabilize the post. Failure to integrate can also happen without any apparent cause.
Late Risk Factors
Good oral hygiene is critical to maintaining dental implants. Without it, bacteria can build up and cause an infection that leads to bone loss.
Stress can be another factor. The force exerted on the post by an ill-fitting crown, or even by grinding or clinching teeth, can cause the post to become loose.
Other risk factors include:
- Smoking – Smoking interferes with blood flow and increases the risk of infection.
- Systemic diseases – Chronic illnesses such as diabetes can play a role in dental implant failure, as can osteoporosis.
If you are considering dental implants, make sure you have all the facts. Set up a consultation today with our restorative dentist in Foley, AL, to discuss whether you are a good candidate.
