Dental implants have become one of the most popular and successful forms of tooth replacement. Unlike other types of tooth replacement, dental implants offer not only a more permanent and natural solution but also stimulation to the bone to fight against further tooth loss. However, with dental implants Clapham being one of the more expensive replacement options, there is often fear of failure. So, can dental implants fall out, and if so, what are the reasons?
What are dental implants?
Implants are titanium screws that can be fixed into the jaw using a screw system. They are designed and made to be exact copies of the patient’s natural teeth and, unlike most other replacement teeth, can last a lifetime if correctly cared for.
How are they fitted?
Dental implants take time to be fitted. First, your dental practitioner will take a series of x-rays, 3D images and moulds to determine whether you are a viable candidate. It’s very important that dentists identify whether or not patients still have enough bone in their jaws for the implants to settle correctly. Often patients lose their teeth because of bone regression, and in some cases, dentists will need to take a bone graft prior to surgery. If this is the case, they will then need the graft to settle and heal before beginning the surgery to implant the anchor screw. Once the screw has been fitted, there will be more healing time required (this can vary from case to case) before the crown of the implant can be fitted.
Post-op care
Following the surgery, it’s very important for patients to take time for rest; dental implants will need to heal correctly to make sure that they secure themselves. Avoiding hard and chewy foods is important, along with keeping the area very clean.
Why do dental implants fail?
It’s extremely rare for dental implants to fail, but if they do, there could be a number of reasons for this.
INFECTION: One of the most common reasons for failure is that the surgery site has become infected. Detailed cleaning once implants have been fitted is more important than ever. If the implant area is left unclean, it will cause a backlog of bacteria, which will build into plaque and tartar, and just as with natural teeth, this can lead to decay and gum disease. When this is left untreated again, just as with natural teeth you could lose teeth.
INSUFFICIENT BONE: In the unlikely event that your dentist hasn’t checked whether you have enough bone, you could lose your implants. If there isn’t enough bone mass in the area for the implant to latch onto, it could fail and fall out.
Signs of implant loss
If you’re worried about implant loss then there are some symptoms to look out for: inflammation of the gums and face, pain or discomfort when chewing, loose implants and gum recession. If you are worried about dental implant failure, it is recommended you contact your dentist as soon as possible.
