Dental Implant Problems
Dental implant surgery is a highly successful surgery, but it isn’t the best option for everyone and may cause long-term problems or complications. Dental implants are an increasingly popular option for replacing missing teeth. In fact, it is estimated that as many as three million people in the United States have dental implants, and this number increases as more and more people learn about the many benefits of dental implants. Dental implants are very small cylindrical screws, usually made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the bones of the jaw. Once these implants have healed and fused with the jaw, a dental restoration can be affixed to the top of the implant fixture. These restorations may be crowns, which are single replacement teeth, or they may be partial or full rows of replacement teeth placed into a denture that attaches to the tops of multiple implant fixtures.
Just as there are risks with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with dental implant surgery. Immediately following implant surgery, patients must follow their dental surgeon’s aftercare advice in order to reduce the risk of infection. If an implant does become infected, treatment will vary based on both the location and the severity of the infection. Infection in the gum tissue may be treated with a soft tissue graft and a course of oral antibiotics, whereas an infection in the bone may require that the infected tissue, and possibly the implant, are removed. Once the infection has healed, a bone graft and a soft tissue graft may be needed to repair the surgical site. Sometimes, the gum tissue that surrounds a dental implant may begin to recede. This can cause inflammation and may be painful, and it should be promptly examined by your dentist; immediate treatment may be able to prevent the removal of the implant.
During the first few weeks of healing following implant surgery, the dental implant is beginning to fuse with the jawbone, in a process called osseointegration. The implant must fully heal and integrate into the bone before the crowns or dentures may be safely placed; this process usually takes several months. If the implant fails to integrate with the bone over the course of several months, it may need to be removed. Once the area has healed, it may be possible to place a new implant, depending on the cause for failed osseointegration.
If an implant is accidentally placed too close to a nerve, this may cause tingling, pain, burning, or numbness at and near the implant site. If not properly addressed, these symptoms may be long-lasting and have a negative effect on the patient’s quality of life. Injuries to the nerve may also lead to persistent problems, so any signs of nerve interference should prompt an immediate consultation with your dental surgeon. Dental implant surgery may also lead to issues with the sinus, or damage to the implant due to excessive force; these issues also necessitate prompt attention.
If not properly addressed in a timely fashion, some of these complications can lead to long-term problems, including peri-implantitis, which arises from chronic inflammation at the implant site. Though rare, some patients may have a sensitivity to certain metals and may reject metal implants. It is therefore recommended that people undergo tests to gauge metal sensitivity before beginning dental implant treatment procedures.