Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Baltimore, MD

The most common cause of dental implant failure is an infection called peri-implantitis. When bacteria invade the tissue around an implant, they can seriously damage it. Eventually, the jawbone and gums may deteriorate and lose their ability to support the implant. Missteps in oral hygiene are often to blame for peri-implantitis, but other factors may contribute as well.

A few additional problems that might lead to implant failure include:

• Failed osseointegration (the implant and jawbone never form a strong bond)
• Physical trauma
• Medical conditions, such as cancer or other diseases that interfere with the body’s ability to support dental implants

Dental implant failure can be divided into two categories. Early failure happens shortly after the implant placement surgery, while late failure can happen anytime after osseointegration. It may even happen years or decades after the initial surgery.

Symptoms of early and late dental implant failure are similar and include:

• Unusual or severe pain. Some soreness is normal after the implant placement surgery. After you heal, however, your implants should feel comfortable and natural in your mouth.
• An implant feels loose. In some cases, this is just a problem with the implant’s restoration. In other cases, a failed dental implant in Baltimore is the issue.
• Bleeding, swelling, and pus. These are all signs of a possible infection and require immediate attention from a dentist.
• Difficulty chewing. After you receive your implant restorations, you should be able to eat virtually any food without problems. Difficulty chewing is a red flag.

If you suspect there is a problem with one of your dental implants, get in touch with us right away. We will examine your mouth, learn about your symptoms, and talk to you about your treatment options. In some cases, we are able to save dental implants with a deep dental cleaning, antibiotics, and other conservative infection control measures. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely it is we will be able to get your smile’s health back on track as inexpensively and simply as possible.

If the damage to the implant or the surrounding tissue is severe, we might have to remove the implant altogether. After we restore your oral health, perhaps through a bone graft, gum disease treatment, and other services, you might be able to receive a new dental implant.