Dental Implant Salvage – New York City, NY
Save Your New Smile
Dental implants boast an incredibly high success rate — in fact, they are successful in over 95 percent of cases. That does not mean, however, that they are invulnerable to complications. In rare cases, circumstances arise that lead to implant failure. If you believe that one of your implants is experiencing a problem, contact us as soon as you can. We are proud to be your dentists who offer dental implant salvage in New York City, NY.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
If a dental implant fails shortly after it is placed in the bone (early implant failure), that is likely because it did not bond properly with the bone around it. This complication, called failed osseointegration, can occur for a number of reasons. For example, a patient may have a health condition that hinders their body’s ability to heal. Or, there might not have been enough bone to support the implant well to begin with.
If an implant fails after osseointegration (late implant failure), it is most commonly due to an infection known as peri-implantitis. The infection damages the gums and bones that support the implant. When the infection advances far enough, the implant can no longer function properly.
What Are the Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants?
Whether you just had an implant placed, or you have already been enjoying it for years, you should always be on the lookout for signs of potential dental implant failure, including the following:
- Swelling, redness, and pain around an implant
- The implant shifts or moves when you apply pressure to it
- Difficulty chewing with the implant
- Gum recession around the implant
Keep in mind that not all of these signs and symptoms mean that your dental implant is failing. For example, if an implant feels loose, it might just be that the crown on top of it is damaged. And in some cases, gum recession is part of natural processes and has little to do with a dental implant.
With that being said, you should still visit us as soon as possible after noticing anything unusual about the way your implant looks or feels. After we perform a thorough examination, we will let you know whether you have a failed dental implant in New York City.
How Does Dental Implant Salvage Work?
If one of your dental implants in New York City is failing, the best way to address the problem will depend on what is causing it. For example, if failed osseointegration is the issue, you may need to undergo a surgery to encourage your bone and soft tissues to attach to the implant. On the other hand, if an advanced infection is to blame, the only viable course of action may be to remove the implant altogether. Then, after your body heals entirely from the infection, it might be possible to re-insert an implant later on.
Regardless of what steps are taken to salvage your implant, we will give you detailed instructions to help you prevent complications from arising again. Excellent oral hygiene, avoiding bad habits like smoking, and not grinding or clenching your teeth are all important components of helping your new smile to thrive for all the years to come.