Many patients are concerned about the possible risks and complications that come hand-in-hand with dental implant surgery. While dental implants are incredibly safe, predictable and typically have a success rate of 95% to 99% (depending upon which study you consult), they are not without their risks and patients can experience certain problems. In most cases, this is quite simply because the human body can react unpredictably to medical treatment and surgery by its very nature is invasive.
When talking about the trouble patients may have with dental implants, there are really two scenarios to consider:
1. Dental implant problems experienced immediately or shortly after surgery,
2. Dental implant problems experienced many months or years after placement.
We’ll take a look at both here.
Common Dental Implant Problems: Short Term
Dr. Wolcott and his team here at All On Implants is highly qualified and has many decades’ worth of accumulative experience in the placement and restoration of dental implants. One of the most important factors to consider when determining possible dental implant problems is the skill and experience of your dentist. Problems such as nerve damage and implant failure are highly unlikely when the dentist attending to your case has been successfully planning and providing the service for many decades!
In spite of this, challenges can arise and potential short-term problems may include:
- Infection (peri-implantitis): Infection can set in during surgery or afterwards if a patient does not follow their surgeon’s instructions for post-operative care or maintain a high standard of oral hygiene.
- Insufficient bone volume: Bone loss is usually caused by atrophy as a result of being toothless or wearing traditional removable dentures for many years. This can be remedied with bone grafting surgery or, in cases where the “All-On-4” protocol has been recommended, by the careful and strategic placement of dental implants in regions of the jaw that naturally contain more atrophy-resistant bone tissue.
- Incorrect positioning and damage to the surrounding teeth and tissues: These problems are not typical of the work of a highly skilled and experienced implant dentist. So you should not feel concerned about these if you are having your procedure done by Dr. Alan Wolcott at All On Implants.
- Micro Movement: Micro Movement is typically caused by the placement of a dental implant’s to cause uncontrolled movement and forces to a porcelain crown or prosthetic bridge immediately after surgery. Should a patient not follow their surgeon’s instructions for post-operative care (i.e. should they play contact sports and eat hard, chewy foods), they might compromise the proper healing or fusing of their jawbone to the implant. This can lead to implant failure.
Common Dental Implant Problems: Long Term
What if it has been several months or even years since you had your dental implants placed? Dr. Alan Wolcott uses the latest techniques to prevent implant problems. He also provides relief for patients who have had dental implants placed elsewhere and have been experiencing problems with them. We provide working solutions to teeth implants problems so that patients can get the most – functionally and aesthetically – out of their replacement teeth.
When it comes to dental implant surgery and the risk of complications and problems, there are three things to bear in mind:
1. The vast majority of dental implant procedures are performed without complication.
2. Should you experience any trouble with your dental implants, it’s imperative that you seek immediate professional attention from one of our specialists – timely intervention will likely prevent more complex treatment needs or implant failure.
3. Even if you are told that your implant has failed, our surgeons will most likely be able to remove it and start planning for a second placement procedure; sometimes the same day. This applies even if it has been several months since you had it first placed.
What You Can Do to Prevent Implant Failure
After surgery:
- Follow your post-operative instructions carefully,
- Avoid strenuous exercise and contact sports for at least a few weeks.
- Avoid hard, crunchy and chewy foods, such as hard candy and ice,
- Avoid smoking and heavy drinking,
- Maintain a high standard of oral hygiene,
Then:
If properly planned and cared for, most dental implants can be problem free for several decades if not a lifetime.
Call Us or Schedule a Screening
To schedule a free screening with one of our experienced cosmetic and implant dentists, call our office directly at 301.850.2356 or fill out the form on our Contact Us page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
If you have been experiencing any problems or discomfort associated with your new teeth, please contact us urgently.