DENTAL
IMPLANTS.....Implant Failures
Healthy teeth make
life more enjoyable, giving you a sense of well-being, and
general comfort. A beautiful smile enhances your appearance
and can provide added confidence and presence.
Implant Failure:
Implants Gone Bad
Implant Dentistry Procedure:
Success versus Failure
Current dental implant technologies
and materials continue to develop at a strong pace. The
procedure has become established as the procedure of choice
when patients are faced with the decision to replace single
or multiple teeth.
Most restorative and reconstructive
dentists can suggest a variety of treatment plans and technologies
for replacing any number of teeth. In terms of obtaining
optimal restoration of aesthetic appearances and dental
function (bite, occlusion, eating, speaking, etc), implants
tend to be unsurpassed.
The success rate of implants is in
the high ninety percent range. However, occasionally they
do fail.
There are two types of implant failures:
Early and Late:
Early Failures
This type of failure occurs shortly after the implants are
placed. They can be caused by:
- overheating the bone
- too much force when they are placed
- not enough force when they are placed
- contaminated implant
- contaminated osteotomy
- epithilial cells in osteotomy site
- poor quality of bone
- excessive forces during osseointegration
- a myriad of other reasons
Late Failures
Generally caused by:
- excessive forces
- lateral loading
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Avoiding
Implant Failures
Treatment Success with the "right" Implant
Dentist
Find an implant dentist who has had great success. Oral
Surgeons, Periodontists and General Dentists with advanced
Post Graduate training comprise this specialty area.
Ask lots of questions. Ask to see
photographs of before and after photos.
Implantology (placement of implants)
is a very technically sensitive procedure. The training,
skill and experience are key factors in the success of the
procedure. While training is indeed important, evidence
of substantial experience (with photography), especially
within your interest area... can be even more important.
Prior to having the implant placed
the surgeon should explain everything to you. If you feel
that you did not receive adequate information then wait
until you are ready and informed.
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Dental
Implants Frequently asked Questions
Is the concept
of dental implants a new one?
Interestingly, dental implants have been performed for thousands
of years. Egyptian mummies have been found with gold wire
implants in the jawbones. Pre-Columbian skeletal remains
exhibit dental implants made of semi-precious stones. Recently,
a Roman soldier was unearthed in Europe with an iron dental
implant in his jawbone. In the Middle East, implants made
of ivory have been discovered in skeletons from the Middle
Ages.
Modern implantology
began in the United States at the beginning of the 20th
century. However, popularity really grew in the 1980’s with
the increased success of the titanium cylinder. Since then,
many brand name implants with minor variations have been
approved.
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What factors
contribute to long-term success of Dental Implants?
Long-term success
depends on multiple factors. First off, success will depend
on the quality and quantity of bone. The better the bone
and the more available, the greater the chance of long-term
success. Secondly, the experience and ability of the dental
surgeon will be a factor. As with any surgical procedure,
there is no substitute for the experience and individual
talent of the dentist. And finally, the quality of the restoration
placed on top of the implant will play a big role in long-term
success. If the design of the implant crowns or overdentures
are poorly constructed, and biting forces are not balanced,
even the best-placed dental implant will have a compromised
survival rate.
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Who can place
a dental implant in my mouth?
A periodontist, an
oral surgeon, or an implantologist places dental implants.
The periodontist and oral surgeon are teamed with a restorative
dentist. They will place the implants and then the patient
will be seen by a restorative dentist for completion of
the crowns or overlying appliance. There will be two dentists
during the course of treatment. An implantologist is trained
in both dental implant surgery and restoration of the dental
prosthesis. An implantologist will do both the surgery and
the restoration, and there will be only one dentist during
the course of treatment. Click here to find an implantologist
near you.
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Who can
restore the teeth on the top of dental implants?
A general dentist
trained to restore implants, an oral implantologist, or
a prosthodontist can restore teeth. It is the choice of
the patient to use a "one doctor approach," whereby
the oral implantologist does both the surgery and the restoration,
or the "two doctor approach," whereby the surgery
and restoration are performed by two different clinicians.
Click here to find an implantologist near you.
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Are there
any age limitations for dental implants?
No. Any person at
any age can have dental implants as long as there is enough
bone available in which to place the implants.
What might be some
of the factors that would prevent me from being an implant
candidate?
There are some medical
factors that might prevent a person from being a good candidate
for dental implants. Some of these may be uncontrolled diabetes,
chemotherapy or radiation therapy, parathyroid disorders,
blood disorders, rare bone disorders or bone marrow cancer.
Some physical factors may include insufficient or poor quality
bone, low sinuses or nerve bundles.
How often
will I need to have my dental implants checked?
The success of your
implants will depend greatly on how well you maintain them.
They will need to be professionally cleaned by a hygienist
and examined by your implant dentist every three to four
months. This hygienist should be trained in the specific
procedure of maintaining dental implants. Also, brushing
and flossing daily is absolutely necessary for long-term
success.
Is dental
implant surgery painful?
No. An effective
local anesthetic is used during the surgery so that you
do not have any discomfort during the placement of the implants.
The mild discomfort you might experience after surgery can
be controlled with medications.
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When
can I return to work after implant surgery?
You can go to work
the next day, unless some particular surgical circumstance
arises. Your implant dentist will discuss all postoperative
instructions with you.
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Additional Information
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Benefits
Dental implants have
given countless patients many amazing benefits.
You will smile again
Improved appearance
Improved comfort
Improved speech
Eat better, enjoy
more foods, better nutrition
Convenience
Improved self-esteem
Dental implants are
also a great value for your investment. You will be getting
a product that you will be using 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, 52 weeks of the year, probably for many, many years
of your life.
