Lincoln Dental Implant Failure

There is a certain amount of risk involved with any kind of surgery, no matter how simple or complex. Dental surgeries such as dental implants are no exception - while it is not common, sometimes an implant may fail to take or the jawbone might reject it completely. Dr. Andrew Glenn, DDS, has treated many dental implant patients at his Lincoln cosmetic dentistry practice, including patients who are suffering from complications and failures in their dental work. To avoid a surgery failure of your own, it helps to understand the most common causes of dental implant failure.

Proper Dental Hygiene

The placement of dental implants is actually a rather involved procedure, performed over a series of months. A titanium post is drilled and affixed in the patient’s jawbone, and left for months to fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration. It is only once this process is complete, when the jawbone is holding the metal post firmly, that your dentist will continue with the placement of a permanent crown or dental bridge.

This waiting period can take months, and proper healing is critical. During this time, it is imperative that patients exercise proper dental hygiene to the best of their abilities. If the utmost care is not taken to keep your mouth as clean as possible, bacteria left behind can develop at the implant site and cause swelling, irritation, and infections.

Dental Implants and Smoking

Before proceeding with the placement of dental implants, a good cosmetic dentist will ask his or her patient to quit or refrain from smoking during the healing process. This is for a number of reasons. Most importantly, smoking can slow the healing process significantly by depriving the body of oxygen it needs. Furthermore, the smoke itself can act as an irritant and encourage infections and abscesses to form in the mouth.

Dental Implants and Bruxism

Permanent dental implants are not always the best choice for patients suffering from tooth grinding, a condition also known as bruxism. Constant movement from grinding can interfere with the healing process of the dental implant, preventing it from setting in the proper position. Even if the implant is able to set, bruxism can quickly wear down a crown. In a case like this, easily replaceable and removable bridges may be a more sensible option.

A Compromised Implant

It is also possible to suffer a dental implant failure through no fault of your own. A dental implant must be perfectly sterile before it is placed in a patient’s mouth. If proper care is not taken and a titanium post contaminated with bacteria is implanted into the mouth, infection can set in at the implant site and cause dental implant failure.

Contact Your Dental Implant Specialist Today

The best defense against dental implant failure is good communication with your cosmetic dentist, to ensure that you are on the same page regarding treatment, as well as proper aftercare during the healing process. Contact the cosmetic dentistry practice of Andrew R. Glenn, DDS, to schedule a consultation and discuss your dental implant options today.

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