Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – New Lenox, IL

Renew the Health of Your Restored Smile

Concerned woman touching her face, worried about dental implant failure

Dental implants are consistently successful. In fact, they do well in more than 95% of cases! Admittedly, though, that does leave the possibility that something could go wrong. In rare cases, circumstances arise that lead to dental implant failure. If you ever believe that one of your implants is failing, contact our New Lenox dental team right away. Via dental implant salvage services, we will do all we can to renew the health of your restored smile.

Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

Handsome male dental patient in treatment chair

Peri-implantitis, a type of infection in the gums and bone around an implant, is the leading cause of dental implant failure. It can eat away at the tissue surrounding the implant, eventually compromising its base of support. In many cases, poor oral hygiene is a significant contributing factor to the development of peri-implantitis.

Other potential causes of dental implant failure include:

Traumatic facial injuries, such as what may happen during sports or a hard fall
Prolonged teeth grinding and clenching
Underlying medical conditions, including some types of cancer and bone diseases
Failed osseointegration (failure of an implant to bond with the surrounding bone)

Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants

Illustration of infected, receding gums around dental implants

Dental implant failure can happen at virtually any time, whether that is days, weeks, months, or even years after the initial placement surgery. That is why you should always monitor your oral health and be alert for signs and symptoms that something is amiss with your implants.

Here are some reasons to contact our team for assistance:

After you heal from dental implant placement, your new teeth should provide pain-free function. Severe or unusual pain deserves professional attention.
Difficulty eating. Once you adapt to using your implants, it should be easy for you to enjoy virtually any food. Difficulty chewing or biting can be a major red flag.
Signs of infection. Pus, swelling, gum recession, and persistent bad breath are all potential signs of a gum infection.
An implant feels loose. This could be an issue with the implant itself or with the crown, bridge, or denture on top of it.

How Dental Implant Salvage Works

Man in burgundy t-shirt experiencing dental pain

You should request an appointment at the first sign of a problem with your dental implants. Unnecessary delays will only give the issue time to worsen. The earlier you receive care, the more likely it is that we can provide a conservative, minimally invasive solution.

When you visit us, we will examine your mouth and ask about your symptoms. From there, we will be able to formulate a treatment plan. You might need something relatively simple, such as a new restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) or some antibiotics to get rid of a mild infection.

However, there is also a chance that you will need to undergo surgery to remove the failing implant. After a healing period and further restorative care, you may be able to receive a whole new implant.