Dental Implant Problems

Job 115 Top Implants 1 – Dental Implant Problems
Based on figures from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, roughly 3 million patients in the United States have dental implants. Furthermore, the procedure is becoming increasingly popular with an estimated 500,000 additional people per year receiving them. Despite having a high success rate and being an ideal replacement solution for lost or missing teeth, dental implant surgery is not suitable for everyone and could potentially cause long-term complications.
This article will highlight some of the possible complications and long-term issues that can be caused by dental implant surgery as well as information on recovery, aftercare, and overall success rate.

Possible Dental Implant Surgery Complications
Amongst the more common problems that could result from dental implant surgery include:
* Infection: Properly caring for the dental implant is critical in reducing the likelihood of developing an infection post-surgery. Patients should strictly follow the dentist or oral surgeon’s advice regarding post-surgery care. Treating an infection will depend on its location and severity. Should the infection be bacterial in the gums, a soft tissue graft or antibiotics may be used. In cases where infection occurs in bone, removal of the infected tissue could be needed. This could require removal of the implant as well as soft tissue and bone grafts.

* Receding Gums: Some patients may experience recession of the gum tissue surrounding the dental implant. Should this occur, promptly getting an assessment from their dentist is critical in preventing the implant’s removal.

* Loose Implant: After implant surgery, the implant and jawbone fuse through a process known as osseointegration. The process can take several months and is vital to the implant’s long-term success. If the implant and bone do not properly fuse, the implant can become loose and may need to be removed by the oral surgeon.

* Tissue or Nerve Damage: It is possible that the oral surgeon could accidently place the implant too near a nerve. Should this happen, long-term tingling, numbness, or discomfort could result. Tissue and nerve problems necessitate immediate intervention to prevent serious complications.
Though less common, dental implant surgery can also cause damage to the implant itself, sinus issues, or rejection.
* Implant Damage: Like any tooth, too much impact or force can cause the dental implant to crack or loosen. Some patients may subconsciously apply excessive force without realizing they are damaging their dental implant. Patients that suffer from bruxism (grinding and clenching the teeth), may need to wear a mouthguard to avoid damaging the implant and their natural teeth.
* Sinus Issues: Dental implants placed in the upper jaw could protrude into the sinus cavities. Known as sinusitis, this leads to swelling in the sinuses. Sinusitis can also lead to the following symptoms:
* Swelling, tenderness, or pain around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks
* Yellow or green nasal mucus
* A clogged nose
* Reduced sense of smell
* Toothaches
* Sinus headaches
* Bad breath
* A fever
* Rejection: In rare cases, the patient’s body may reject the dental implant if they have sensitivity to rare metals. Studies suggest that patients undergo testing for metal sensitivity prior to undergoing dental implant surgery.