Is There Anything That Can Go Wrong with Dental Implants?

If you are contemplating having dental implants in South Benfleet then you probably want to do everything possible to make sure your treatment is a success. This means finding out as much as you can about dental implants so you can make a more informed decision about the best way to replace your teeth. You will also find our dentist in South Benfleet is able to answer all your questions and of course they will need to carry out an examination to make sure you are suitable for this treatment.

It is an excellent way to replace missing teeth, but as with all types of surgery there is a tiny risk that something could go wrong. However it is worth bearing in mind that generally success rates are well in excess of 95%. We have listed a couple of the most common reasons why implant treatment may not be successful, including the steps we take to minimise this risk.

Implant Failure

When implants are inserted into the jawbone they have to bond with the bone during a process called Osseo integration and which can take between three and six months to complete. During this time new bone cells will grow around and on the implant post which is specially treated to help encourage this process. Once Osseo integration is completed, your new implant can be loaded or fitted with the implant tooth. Very occasionally a dental implant may fail to bond with the surrounding bone or will subsequently become loose once restored with an implant tooth.

Our dental implant dentist in South Benfleet takes extensive care when planning implant procedures. In order for an implant to successfully integrate with the bone in must be surrounded with plenty of strong and healthy bone. By inserting the implant into exactly the right position, the risk of an implant failing to integrate is greatly minimised. We also make sure that Osseo integration is fully completed and that the implant is strong enough to support an implant tooth. Loading it too quickly with the implant crown can increase the risk of failure so it is essential to make sure this does not happen.

Implant Infection

An implant can become infected months or even years after treatment is completed and this most commonly occurs due to poor oral hygiene. One thing we like to stress to our patients is that even though dental implants are made from metal, they are surrounded by living tissue that can become infected in a condition similar to gum disease and which is called peri-implantitis. Unfortunately this condition can lead to the implant becoming loose due to the bone around the implant being eroded by the disease. Sometimes, with prompt treatment it is possible to save an infected implant which is why our dentist in South Benfleet is keen to stress the need for patients to contact us if they feel something is wrong with their dental implant.

Both these risks are tiny and provided you look after your dental implant correctly then you are more than likely to enjoy many years of use. If you are interested in finding out more about dental implants in South Benfleet, please contact South Benfleet Dental Care on 01268 793485 so we can arrange an appointment for your initial consultation.