The 5 early dental implant failure symptoms and prevention

International Clinics
202
15 November 2024

Research studies indicate that despite the high success rate of dental implant procedures, a small percentage of people, estimated at around 5-10%, may experience dental implant failure either during the procedure or after 5-10 years.

The good news is that we can predict the early failure of dental implants through several factors, which we will explain in this article. We will also answer the most common questions that come to mind regarding dental implant failure, including: who is responsible for dental implant failure? What are the symptoms of dental implant failure, and when is a dental implant a failure? So stay tuned for more.

What is dental implant failure?

Implant failure of dental may be defined as the inability of a dental implant to integrate with the jawbone or a situation in which it is lost after its placement. A dental implant is considered successful when it combines with the surrounding bone through a process known as osseointegration.

This stage usually takes a few months, during which failure occurs when an implant either fails to join with the bone properly or becomes loose after integration.

Types of Dental Implant Failure

Dental implant failures are conventionally thought of as falling into two types:

Primary failure (early failure) refers to the failure immediately upon the placement of the implant or shortly thereafter following surgery due to poor bone quality, surgical errors, or poor primary stability, where it fails to integrate well with the surrounding bone.
Secondary failure can be defined as late dental implant failure, occurring much later after the placement of an implant and after the initial healing period.

All-on-4 dental implant failure

All-on-4 dental implant failure is not very common but, at the same time, not rare. The All-on-4 technique is highly successful in giving a fixed, stable prosthetic to a completely toothless upper or lower jaw. However, these cases do fail in some situations. Various reasons that are commonly noted to cause late failure include:

Peri-implant infections (peri-implantitis)
Progressive bone loss

And we will clarify it in some detail in the following few lines.

What causes dental implant failure?

Dental implant failure may occur due to various reasons either right after placement or years later, and the most common causes of dental implant failure include:

Infection (Peri-implantitis):

An infection near the implant site can interfere with the healing process or cause dental implant failure and bone loss.

Poor bone quality or insufficient bone volume:

If the bone around the jawbone is too soft or thin, then it cannot support the implant. In that case, it becomes problematic and leads to the failure or loosening of the implant. This also most commonly occurs when the patients have suffered some kind of bone loss due to gum disease or trauma.

Implant Overloading:

If too much pressure is applied to the implant, usually from improper alignment or incorrect bite, leading to dental implant failure. This occurs much more frequently in instances where the implant has been placed too quickly right after extraction and in cases where there is prior trauma to the bone that supports the area.

Bone Grafting Complications:

Malpositioning or bone graft failure is considered to be the first stage of early dental implant failure, which can lead to several complications, including poor osseointegration and increased stress on the surrounding bone.

Systemic Health Problems:

Medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, alcohol, or smoking interfere with the healing process of the body and integration of the implant with the bone, leading to a higher dental implant failure rate.

If you ask about how much alcohol causes dental implant failure, we can say that excessive alcohol use can raise the risk of dental implant failure because it affects bone health and healing. It's best to avoid alcohol during the recovery period.

Poor oral hygiene:

Poor implant care and tissues around the implant may cause infection of the implant site and gum disease. Both are very critical causes of dental implant failure.

Bad prosthetic design:

Crown or restoration attached to the implant issues with fit can put indirect stress on the implant and impact its long-term success.

Trauma or Injury:

Trauma or physical impact to the site of the implant may change or destroy the implant and/or interrupt the osseointegration, thus dental implant failure.

Rejection or Allergy to Implant Material:

Although rare, some individuals may have a sensitivity or an allergic reaction to the titanium or other materials of the implant that could prevent the proper integration. So, what are the signs of dental implant failure?

What are the symptoms of dental implant failure?

The question (What does dental implant failure feel like?) always arises in the mind of someone considering dental implants and fearing the failure of the procedure. Here are the main symptoms of failed dental implants:

Chronic pain or sensation:

Ongoing pain or discomfort around the site of the implant, especially well after the healing process is complete, may signify some troubles. The typical pain after surgery will disappear after a few weeks.

Swelling or inflammation:

Swelling, redness, or warmth of the implant site signals inflammation or infection. This is abnormal, and you must alert your dentist to this.

Loosening or shifting of the implant:

A loose implant, unstable and easily displaced by touching, provides clear evidence of failure; this might be because the implant has not integrated into the bone. In other words, the failure of osseointegration. This is considered an important stage for the dental implant success process, and any failure of it leads to dental implant failure.

Gum Recession:

Where there is a marked recession of the gum from around the implant or a change in the gum's shape, this will indicate possible problems with the implant or its inability to integrate with the bone.

Troubles while Chewing or Biting:

Pain or discomfort from chewing or biting on the implant indicates that the implant has not functioned well or that integration between the implant and bone has not occurred.

It is important to see a dentist right away if any of the aforementioned symptoms are noticed in order to be examined and potentially treated.

Dental implant failure treatment (how to fix dental implant failure)

It is also important to learn about the various approaches in the treatment and management of implant failure, which would depend upon the kind and cause of the failure, and this included some steps:

Removal of the Failed Implant: These are normally removed when primary failure or infection occurs and allowed to heal before attempting re-implantation.
Bone Grafting: When there is no sufficient quality or quantity of bone, aspects like bone grafting techniques can be done to augment it before reimplantation. This gives room for better implant integration over time.
Corrective Surgical Procedures: Some patients may need extra surgery to improve the condition of the bone, soft tissues, or associated structures to establish an environment that will allow a newly placed implant to be successful.
Patient Education and Follow-Up Care: The continued education of the patient is rather paramount for determining good aftercare through proper oral hygiene, regular follow-up visits, and stopping smoking, which is very important for the long-term success of the implant.

Why does smoking cause dental implant failure?

Several elements in smoking discourage and interfere with the process of healing and, therefore, the success of such an implant. These include:

1. Poor Blood Supply: Tobacco smoking leads to the constriction of blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the implant site. Such a condition may impede the healing of the bone around the implant and reduce the possibility of osseointegration, the process by which the implant is integrated into the bone.

2. Compromised Immune System: Smoking reduces the immune system, making the body susceptible to different types of infections. This will heighten the chance of peri-implantitis or infection around the implant, which can be the cause of failure.

3. Impaired Oxygenation: Smoking impairs the oxygenation level of the blood, affecting the repair mechanism of tissues and bones. It will slow down the healing after implant surgery.

4. Increased Infection Rate: Tobacco smoking increases bacterial growth in the oral cavity, which simultaneously increases the infection rate at the site of implantation, thus causing inflammation and leading to the loss of bone and failure of the implant.

Generally, smoking reduces the possibility of successful implant incorporation and increases the possibility of complications; hence, many dentists recommend refraining from tobacco smoking before surgery.

Which antibiotic regimen prevents implant failure?

Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended to prevent infection and implant failure after dental implant surgery. The standard regimen involves administering amoxicillin (2 grams orally) one hour before surgery.

For patients allergic to penicillin, alternatives such as clindamycin (600 mg) or azithromycin (500 mg) can be used.

In high-risk cases, such as patients with diabetes or poor oral hygiene, dual antibiotic therapy combining amoxicillin and metronidazole may be recommended to provide broader coverage.

Postoperative antibiotic use is typically not required for most patients, but a short course of 3-5 days of antibiotics may be given in cases of higher infection risk. The decision for antibiotic therapy should be personalized to the individual, considering their medical history and the complexity of the surgery. Overuse of antibiotics should be avoided to prevent resistance.

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So, how to prevent dental implant failure?

The good thing is that the person and the treating dentist can avoid dental implant failure by following some medical instructions, which include:

Complete Preoperative Assessment: The quality and amount of the bone, along with general oral health, are checked before surgery as a major guarantor of an implant's lifetime.
Adequate surgical methodology: caution in the planning and execution phases of implanting will minimize complications.
After-Surgical Care: Following post-surgical advice and regularly attending follow-ups to catch the early signs of failure or infection.

Dental implant failure policy

It is certainly now that you are wondering about dental implant failure refund, and we can say that in case of failure, patients could be entitled to a refund or re-treatment in certain conditions depending on the policies in place. Where an implant fails due to some surgical mistake, substandard materials, or other conditions that the dentist is liable for, particularly if this failure occurs within a short period following the procedure, the patient might have a right to implant replacement or a refund.

However, if the failure is due to reasons beyond the dentist's control, such as smoking, grinding of the teeth, or poor oral hygiene, a refund may not be possible. Each patient should familiarize himself with the warranty or refund policy of the dental professional he will be seeing beforehand so that the terms between them are rather understandable in the event of failure.

The bottom line:

In short, though a rare dental implant failure does occur and can be multifactoria, including poor bone quality, infection, surgical mistakes, or excessive stress on the implant. Early detection, proper diagnosis, and timely intervention hold the key to managing the failures of implants and improving the chance of successful re-treatment.

A better understanding of the causes of dental implant failure and professional care when problems arise will therefore assure maximum durability and functionality of implants by bringing out improved oral health and quality of life.

Our clinics offer comprehensive and complete healthcare under distinguished medical supervision to ensure the success of dental implant procedures and the latest technologies. Book your free consultation now and enjoy a smile that lasts a lifetime.

references:

The Risk Factors in Early Failure of Dental Implants- NHI

Early and late dental implant failure- healthline

The Etiology and Management of Dental Implant Failure

FAQ's

What is the most common cause of dental implant failure?

The most common reason for dental implant failure is osseointegration failure, in which the implant does not correctly fuse with the surrounding bone. Poor quality of the bone, infection, or excessive stress on the implant may lead to this condition.

What are the chances of dental implant failure?

Dental implant failure rates are generally low, with around 5-10% of implants failing within the first few years. These changes can be influenced by factors such as patient health, oral hygiene, and implant placement techniques.

Which location in the mouth has the highest failure rate for dental implants?

The upper jaw, particularly the posterior maxilla of the upper jaw, has been mentioned as the site with the most incidences of failure with dental implants. This is because of the low bone density and proximity to the sinus cavity.