Dental implants have improved the lives of countless individuals throughout the world. In fact, just within the U.S. alone, it is estimated that 5 million implants are placed each year! There are a lot of reasons why people seek out dental implants: increased chewing ability, clearer enunciation, improved esthetics, not having to cut down adjacent teeth for bridgework, and the fact you can’t get a cavity on a dental implant are a few examples.
However, many people believe that things can’t go wrong with dental implants: that they are indestructible and will last forever. This is an unfortunate misconception! While dental implants do have a very high success rate of over 95%, there are some instances when they can fail early. This article, written by our very own Dr. Ira Goldberg, addresses some of the causes of dental implant failure, as well as what can be done for a failing implant.
Factors That Contribute to Dental Implant Failure
Oral & Overall Health
Your dental health is a leading factor when it comes to the success of your implants. Beyond that, systemic diseases can affect your whole body, and your mouth is not isolated from the rest of you. Diabetes, thyroid activity, autoimmune diseases, and osteoporosis are examples of conditions that require discussions with your implantologist, since they can directly impact your treatment. Similarly, smoking is a habit that can negatively impact your oral health, and in turn, your dental implants.
Medications
Certain medications, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and PPIs can affect bone metabolism and put dental implant patients at risk for complications. During your dental implant consultation, you and your dentist will review your current medications carefully to determine if any of them will impact your treatment plan.
History of Gum Disease
Gum disease is an incredibly problematic oral health condition that spells bad news for teeth and dental implants alike. A history of gum disease greatly increases a person’s risk of having dental implant complications. It’s crucial to maintain healthy gum tissue once the implants have been placed.
Bite Patterns/Occlusion
The truth is, replacing one or more missing teeth without paying attention to the condition of your remaining teeth can be extremely destructive to dental implants. Your dentist is not trying to “oversell” you when they discuss this with you; they’re only considering the future impact it’ll have on the rest of your smile.
Complexity of the Present Problem
Not every smile is exactly the same, and patients experience tooth loss very differently. Two people who may need a dental implant for the same tooth can have polar opposite presenting conditions. For example, one person may have a large amount of available bone, while the next person may have very little bone and could require a supplemental bone graft first.
What You Can Do About Dental Implant Failure
So what do you do about an implant that is starting to lose bone, develop deep pockets, bleeds, or feels loose or tender? The answer is simple: speak with your dentist so that they can take a look! It’s also possible for you to not even be aware of a problem with a dental implant—which is why routine preventive care remains more important than ever before once you’ve received implants. After they’ve inspected your smile, they’ll be able to determine what’s causing trouble for your implant and how to get things back on track.
There are two terms used often with dental implantology: “peri-implant mucositis” and “peri-implantitis.” The first refers to when there is no bone loss around your implant and the problem is limited to the gums, and the second indicates you are starting to see bone loss.
- Treatment for peri-implant mucositis – In many cases, no surgery or advanced therapy is necessary. Improved homecare and more frequent professional cleanings are usually enough to reverse the course of the condition.
- Treatment for peri-implantitis – The severity of the issue determines that treatment is used. Bone grafting, treatment with different medications or chemicals, or laser treatments are all viable options. If the problem is advanced enough, implant removal might be advised.
Remember, not removing a failing or infected implant can affect surrounding teeth or implants! It’s not the type of issue that will be resolved on its own, either. Fees for implant rehabilitation can also vary depending upon the extent of the problem. However, remember that while these procedures may seem expensive, they’re worthwhile since they preserve your oral health moving forward.
In summary, dental implants are a fantastic discovery in the world of dentistry and have turned around countless lives. However, problems can arise and need to be dealt with. Your best prevention is to go for your regularly scheduled checkups so that your dentist can help you keep an eye on your investment!
About the Author
Dr. Ira Goldberg has been performing implant procedures for 30 years. He is a proud Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Goldberg also holds Fellowship with the prestigious Academy of General Dentistry. He performs all phases of implant dentistry at his office in Succasunna, NJ. He also lectures other dentists in the field of implantology. For a free consultation, including a free 3-D scan (if necessary), please call his office at (973) 328-1225 or visit online.
This column was published in Roxbury/Randolph Life October 2025
Source: https://www.mypaperonline.com/roxbury-randolph-life-october-2025.html