Dental implant failure, while uncommon, often comes with signs that patients and dental implant providers should watch for and be aware of. Early signs of dental implant failure often include severe pain, discomfort, swelling or inflammation of the gums, and the implant becoming loose or moving within the mouth. These signs can show up differently depending on whether the failure is early—occurring within months of the dental implant procedure—or late, which may not appear until years later.
When deciding to get dental implants, it’s important to have the right information. One thing you can do to reduce the risk of dental implant failure is to choose an experienced provider who has extensive experience with dental implants.
At Nuvia, you get a team including an oral surgeon, CRNA, and restorative doctor working for the success of your dental implants. Dental implants with permanent teeth in 24 hours is all we do at Nuvia, day in and day out. Rest assured that you're in good hands.
To see if you may be a candidate for full mouth dental implants at Nuvia, take this 60-second quiz.
Additionally, it’s important to watch for the signs of dental implant failure and learn what to do to help minimize your risk:
Early vs Late Dental Implant Failure
Early Dental Implant Failure happens within the first few months and is often due to issues like infections at the implant sites, failure of the implant to fuse with the jaw bone, or health issues that prevent your mouth from healing.
On the other hand, Late Dental Implant Failure can surface years after the surgery and is typically related to long-term factors such as progressive bone loss, chronic gum disease, or issues with the implant itself, like fracturing.
What Helps an Implant Be Successful?
Several factors contribute to the success of a dental implant:
Adequate Bone: Sufficient bone density and volume are critical for the implant to anchor effectively.
An experienced surgeon: The skill and precision of the surgeon play a crucial role in avoiding complications and ensuring the implant is placed correctly.
Not smoking: Smoking impairs blood flow to the gums, significantly slowing the healing process and potentially leading to implant failure.
Treated, Non-Active Gum Disease: Active gum disease must be resolved before implant surgery to prevent infection and ensure a stable base for the implant.
Follow post-treatment instructions: Following dental implant aftercare instructions, including good oral hygiene practices, can significantly impact the long-term success of your dental implants.
What to Look For:
Although dental implant failure is rare, be aware of these symptoms so you can notify your dental implant provider as soon as possible if you suspect dental implant failure.
Micro-movements: If you notice any loose implants or wiggling, this is called micro-movements. These can indicate that the implant has not properly fused or joined with the bone.
Infection: Signs of infection can include persistent pain, redness, and swelling around the dental implant sites.
Allergic Reaction: Though rare, some individuals may react to the materials used in dental implants, such as titanium alloys.
What is NOT a Dental Implant Failure:
It's important to differentiate between actual implant failure and normal post-operative symptoms or minor issues that are not signs of dental implant failure. For instance, a small gap between the implant and the gum line does not necessarily signify failure, but rather could be a minor aesthetic issue that can be adjusted without impacting the implant’s function.
“Is a gap a sign of dental implant failure?”
A gap between the fake teeth and the gum line is not a sign of dental implant failure, and though it doesn’t happen to everyone, it is an expected part of recovery. When you get dental implants at Nuvia, if a gap occurs, it will be fixed at your 4 month follow up appointment.
See Dr. Preston Hansen’s answers to more frequently asked questions about the dental implant process here.
Or hear from patients like Ricky, Duncan, and Leslie on their experience with dental implants, years after the procedure.
What Does Nuvia Do to Prevent Dental Implant Failure?
In the video above, Dr. Chow shares a few ways Nuvia works to prevent dental implant failure.
You Have a Great Team - At Nuvia you get a team of highly skilled oral surgeons, prosthodontists, and restorative doctors who work on each patient’s case. This team works together to plan the optimal placements of your dental implants so they are set up for success. At the time of surgery, you’ll also have a dedicated CRNA working to make sure that you’re comfortably asleep during the procedure.
Good Primary Stability - High quality processes and procedures are put in place so that during the initial placement of your dental implants, your team will ensure that the implants are secure and prepared to receive the permanent teeth the next day.
Rigid Fixation - Due to the way your new teeth are designed at Nuvia, your implants are able to be fixed together allowing everything to stay still and stable, especially during the healing process.
