Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
An implant can experience issues shortly after surgery or even years later. Several potential reasons exist, and uncovering the cause is paramount to providing the right treatment.
- Peri-Implantitis: A bacterial infection, much like gum disease, that occurs around the implant. The infection inflames the surrounding gums and breaks down the supporting jawbone.
- Lack of Bone Integration: In some cases, the jawbone fails to fuse properly around the titanium post. Failed osseointegration can lead to a loose implant.
- Biting Pressure: Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) place additional stress on the implant post. Poor bite alignment can also loosen the restoration.
- Poor Placement Angle: Implants set too close to adjacent roots or in areas with thin bone can become unstable.
How Implant Revision Works
Treatment depends on when we catch the problem. If you visit our specialized dental implant dentist in Burke at the first sign of trouble, we can often save your original implant.
If Dr. Karapetian catches an infection early, she may begin with a deep antimicrobial cleaning around the post. Laser or surgical decontamination also helps clear away bacteria. However, if there’s been significant bone loss, treatment may require a bone graft to rebuild support.
If the implant is completely loose or the surrounding bone is severely damaged, she will remove the post. Then, she cleans the area and adds a bone graft. After the site heals, she can place a new implant.
Warning Signs You May Require Implant Revision
Contact our office immediately if you notice any of these signs affecting your implant:
- Pain or throbbing while eating
- Gum irritation or bleeding around the post
- Pus or a bad taste coming from the gumline
- A loose or unstable replacement tooth
- Metal threads showing through receding gums
Schedule an Implant Evaluation in Burke, VA
If you are worried about an implant that feels uncomfortable or loose, do not wait for the problem to get worse. Call Washington Periodontics at (571) 569-7540 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Karapetian.
