See the Signs Pointing to Dental Implant Failure

After going through the time, effort, and financial investment of getting dental implants, the last thing you want to experience now is failure. In most cases, fortunately, certain signs precede this negative result, which means you could have time to salvage your implants. How can you tell if you have an implant in danger? Here are some signs to watch for that point to dental implant failure so that you can act quickly and save your smile.

Red, Swollen, Bleeding, or Receding Gums

With or without dental implants, your gums clearly have a developing problem if they bleed easily, are red and puffy, or have pulled away from your teeth. Unlike real teeth, dental implants will eventually expose the post and other structure underneath that you may not want to have exposed.

The safest course of action is to see your dentist to have your gums assessed and treated. Unless the issue is addressed, your jawbone will deteriorate, and your implants will not function properly.

Oral Numbness or Tingling

If you’ve just had your dental implants placed, you need a three to six-month period to rest and allow the jawbone to envelop the post. However, if you feel numbness or tingling in your tongue, lips, gums, or face, it could mean that the implant was placed too close to a nerve. Although it doesn’t always mean the implant has failed, you may be more comfortable if the post could be repositioned.

Weak or Unstable Bite

Once your implants have fused with the jaw, they should feel secure and strong. In fact, you should have up to 75 percent of your original biting force back! However, if the jawbone’s hold on implants is weak or instable, it becomes difficult to bite or chew. Not only can this be frustrating while you try to eat, but it also indicates a problem with your implants that needs to be checked out with your dentist as soon as possible.

Loose Dental Implants

Just like your natural adult teeth shouldn’t wiggle, your dental implants aren’t ever meant to move. In fact, by the time your dental implants noticeably feel loose, they may already need to come out. The jawbone may need to be reinforced with a bone graft before your dentist tries again to place the implants.

If you’re still worried that implant failure might sneak up on you, remember that you don’t have to monitor your restored smile alone. In fact, if you continue to visit the dentist every six months, they can keep a close, trained eye on your smile and make sure it stays strong and functional.

About the Practice

At Amherst Dental Group, our team of dentists proudly handles the entire dental implant process in our office, including treatment for failure and salvage. However, about 95 percent of our implants are successful, and we are dedicated to helping patients keep their restored smiles for the long term. If you think your dental implants might be failing, call our Williamsville office at 716-689-8882 or contact us online here.