Dental implants are a widely utilized form of tooth replacement with a nearly 95% success rate. For those who are good candidates for implants, they are safe, dependable, and highly functional. In some very limited cases, however, problems can arise during or following the installation of dental implants. While some of these complications are minor and easily treatable, some are more concerning, requiring immediate attention, so it is important to be able to assess a potential post-surgical problem in a timely manner.
Signs and Symptoms of an Oral Infection
One of the most common post-surgical complications across the board is infection at the surgical site. Infections take root when bacteria get into an open wound and begin to multiply, damaging the affected soft tissues and over time compromising even hard tissues such as bone. For this reason, it is important to treat an infected dental implant right away; left untreated, it can compromise the very integrity of the implant.
Signs and symptoms to watch out for include redness, increased swelling, pus, or drainage from the incision site – particularly with a notable color or odor, or persistent bad breath. If you notice any of these signs, be sure to contact your dentist right away, who will likely prescribe antibiotics.
Dental Implants that Become Loose
Less commonly, dental implants can become loose in the weeks or months following implantation. If a dental implant becomes loose, it is likely not fully integrated with the jaw and such may need to be removed. While loose dental implants are sometimes attributable to placement error, this could also be a symptom of an infection of the gums that has allowed the tissues around the implant to erode. In either case, it is important to be seen and evaluated as soon as possible if a dental implant feels increasingly unstable in one’s mouth.
Broken Dental Implants
Over time, dental implants can also break due to simple wear and tear. Those who grind their teeth at night or use their teeth as tools are particularly susceptible to these kinds of breaks or stress fractures, as the strength of dental implants has its limits. If you suspect that you have a dental implant that has broken or chipped, call your dentist to set up a repair appointment.
Peri-Implantitis
Peri-implantitis is a type of gum disease caused by chronic inflammation at the implant site. Over a period of years, this inflammation can begin to affect the soft tissue of the gums in a negative way and eventually begin to eat away at the bone in which the implant is embedded. The best way to avoid peri-implantitis is to be seen by your dentist for any persistent inflammation that begins to set in so that it can be treated right away.
How to Avoid Problems with Dental Implants
The best way to handle problems with dental implants, of course, is to avoid them entirely. While some problems can’t be avoided, you can protect your financial investment as well as your long-term oral health by simply following any at-home care instructions you are provided during the course of your implant placement, maintaining good oral hygiene practices going forward, and being sure to see your dentist for biannual check-ups.
If you notice any troubling signs or symptoms between visits, simply reach out for a quick evaluation. All of the problems listed here are better addressed earlier rather than later, so don’t wait – in doing so, you’re only delaying your own comfort and healing.