Ask the Dentist: What do I do if my dental implants fail?

Dental implant treatment is generally a safe and successful procedure designed to last your lifetime with proper care. It consists of three parts, namely:

1. A titanium implant body inserted into the bone

2. An attachment called an abutment

3. A crown that is attached to the abutment and aligned with your remaining teeth

Reasons for dental implant failure

Though a failing dental implant is unusual, some conditions or complications may affect the healing process. They include gum disease, teeth grinding, and other risk factors such as smoking, medications consumed, and osteoporosis. Other medical conditions, such as cancer treatment and/or radiation, may also affect the bones’ healing ability.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of a failing implant include it being wobbly when chewing or talking, pain, swelling or infection. If there are any signs of failure, your dental specialist or dentist will take an x-ray to examine the implant and its surrounding bones.

Treatment

Your dental specialist or dentist can easily remove the failed dental implant under local anesthesia. If bone loss is present, a bone graft may be required to improve the site for replacing the implant. This process may take a few months as the area has to heal before inserting a new implant. When in recovery, your dental specialist or dentist will discuss ways to reduce risks that may have caused the implant to fail. Following the recovery instructions and care for your implants is crucial.

Always inform your dental specialist or dentist of any health or medical history changes. Maintaining good oral hygiene and routine dental check-ups is also the key to successful dental implants.

If you notice any abnormality with your dental implants, seek your dental specialist or dentist immediately for a consultation.

Dr Tan Kian Meng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and Diplomate with the American Board of Prosthodontics. He was formerly a Consultant at Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Fellow of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Oncologic Dentistry Fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr Tan has special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry.

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