Implant applications are a type of dental treatment method applied to replace missing teeth. In some cases, symptoms of failed implants may occur after the implant procedure. Failed implant application may occur due to reasons originating from both the doctor and the patient. Not paying attention to oral care, inadequate bone structure, unhealthy gum tissue, clenching and grinding of teeth, excessive alcohol and smoking are among the patient-related causes of unsuccessful dental implant failure. Reasons caused by the doctor arise based on the doctor's knowledge and experience. For a successful implant application, the suitability of the patient's jaw and bone structure, its proximity to the nerve and how the tooth should be positioned should be determined through examination and imaging by the doctor.
Dental implant processes are treatments that must be applied with great care. Today, the success rate of implant treatments is over 99%. In order to achieve this success, many factors and many situations must be evaluated and each stage of the treatment must be carried out with great care.
Before implant treatments, teeth and jawbone must be evaluated millimetrically with 3D tomography. The existing jaw bone thickness, length, and proximity to anatomical formations in the area where the implant is planned to be applied must be determined very carefully.
During the implant process, it is very important for the surgical area to be completely sterile for a successful operation. If an implant is placed into the jawbone without paying attention to sterilization, infection will develop around the implant and within the jawbone. In these cases, it is possible to talk about failed implant treatment. In other words, a sterile operating environment reduces the risk of a failed implant process.
After implant operations; Antibiotics, painkillers and mouthwashes are prescribed. It is very important to take antibiotics and mouthwash regularly to prevent infection. You should not smoke for the first two days after the operation, and utmost care should be taken for a week. Otherwise, unsuccessful implant treatment may occur again.
After the dental implant surgery is applied to the jawbone, great dedication is needed in the production phase of implant-supported prostheses. At this stage, the quality of the materials used and the precise work of the dental technician are of great importance in the success of implant procedures. Patients have responsibilities for the long-term success of implant treatments. Paying attention to oral hygiene, regular tooth brushing and dentist visits are the main responsibilities of the patients.
Dental implants are a widely used and often successful treatment method to compensate for missing teeth. However, in some cases implants can fail. There are various reasons for these failures. These causes may include many different factors such as biological, mechanical, surgical technique, patient compliance, and environmental factors. Some of the reasons why dental implants fail are as follows:
A detailed planning should be made before placing the implant. Poor planning can lead to the implant not being placed in the correct position, resulting in failure.
Non-sterile surgical environment increases the risk of infection. Infections may prevent the implant from adhering.
Incorrect position or angle of the implant within the bone may negatively affect the stability of the implant.
Bone Insufficiency: Bone in sufficient quantity and quality is required for the implant to hold stably. In case of bone deficiency, osseointegration of the implant cannot be achieved.
Immune Response: The body perceives the implant as a foreign substance and develops an immune response against it, which may also cause the implant to be rejected.
Excessive Pressure: Applying excessive chewing forces to implants can cause the implant to separate from the bone. This situation is especially common when removing single tooth deficiencies.
Prosthesis Incompatibility: Improper design or unsuitability of implant-supported prostheses may cause the implant to carry unbalanced load and cause failure.
Oral Hygiene: Inadequate oral hygiene increases the risk of peri-implantitis and infection. Good oral hygiene is critical for a long-lasting implant.
Smoking: Smoking is an important factor that negatively affects implant success. The risk of implant loss is higher in patients who smoke.
General Health Status: Systemic diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis may also affect implant success. In people with such diseases, the healing process may be slow and the risk of infection is increased.
Nutritional Habits: Malnutrition can negatively affect bone health and prevent the implant from being stable within the bone.
Traumas: Traumas to the post-surgical area can disrupt the stability of the implant and cause failure.
Poor Quality Implant Material: Osseointegration of the implant may fail when low quality or unsuitable materials are used.
Design Problems: The design of the implant can also affect its success. Poorly designed implants cannot adequately integrate with the bone and may be lost.
Symptoms of failed implants negatively affect a person's life. In some cases, when the symptoms are quite severe or the artificial tooth cannot hold, implant treatment is applied again. The most common symptoms of failed implants are as follows:
Long Lasting Severe Pain: It is quite possible to experience pain during the implant application, but if this toothache is severe and does not go away for a long time, it means that there is a problem. Severe pain, for which even the painkillers used after the procedure are not sufficient, can reach unbearable levels for the patient.
Inflammation in the Gum: Swelling may occur after implant application. But if the swelling does not go away and grows, it is understood that it is caused by inflammation as a result of failed implant application.
Displacement of the Implant Tooth: One of the most common symptoms of failed implants is the movement of the implanted tooth. When the movements of the implant tooth are micro-sized, the person may not notice it and it is revealed during the x-ray examination.
Gum Disease: Although gum recession is among the symptoms of failed implants, it can actually occur due to many other reasons. Especially if there is only recession in the gum around the implant, it is understood that it is due to unsuccessful application. If there is not enough bone and gum tissue where the implant is applied, the implant may fail.
Biting and Chewing Problems: After a successful implant surgery, the artificial tooth should function like other teeth and should not cause any problems in biting and chewing. In failed implant applications, difficulty in biting and pain and discomfort during chewing may occur.
If you have tooth loss and are considering implant treatment, you can see our dentists at Dentaliva to find out your suitability for the procedure. Our experienced dentists give you the most accurate and reliable advice for both failed implants and other dental treatments.