Possible Risks and Complications of Dental Implants

As with any dental treatment, dental implant treatment involves some risks. However, problems are rare, and they are typically minor and quickly resolved when they happen. Listed below are the possible complications of dental surgery:

The implant is not adhering to the bone

Tooth implants are stable and act like natural teeth because the titanium posts merge with the bone after months. The most frequently encountered dental implant issue is a failure of the implant and bone to connect. An experienced dentist can quickly and painlessly remove the implant if this occurs. They may be able to install a replacement implant quickly or may wait a few months to allow your bone to recover.

Peri-implantitis

This disease can harm the gum tissue and bone surrounding the tooth, increasing the chance of dental implants failing. Peri-implantitis might eventually result in bone loss and implant loosening. Your risk of developing peri-implantitis is significantly reduced if you avoid smoking, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and practice proper oral hygiene. However, if you do develop dental implant issues due to peri-implantitis, the dental surgeon can manage the bone loss and either save or replace your implant.

Additional infections

As with any surgery, there is a danger of infection affecting dental implants and surrounding tissue. However, dental implant-related infections are relatively rare because of the sterile settings in which dental implant surgery is performed. In most situations, specialists will also prescribe antibiotics following your treatment to reduce your chance of getting an infection around your dental implants.

Nerve damage

Since dental implants are surgically put into your jaw, there is a small risk that they will cause nerve damage during the treatment. This uncommon dental implant problem may result in discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the lips, teeth, gums, or chin. Dental specialists can efficiently identify the size of implant to utilize by thoroughly undergoing a dental exam on the precise position of your nerves. This means that they can efficiently avoid contact with the nerve and eliminate the possibility of your dental implants causing injury.

Periodontal disease

If you have gum disease before surgery, you are more likely to experience dental implant treatment difficulties. Periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum disease, might result in bone damage, reducing the likelihood of your treatment working.

Bacteria consume connective tissues on tooth roots, destroy gums, and weaken bones. A dental professional will always treat your gum disease before initiating dental implant therapy to ensure that it does not harm your final result.

Are Dental Implants Safe?

Dental implants have been used safely and successfully for years with patients who generally have good oral and overall health conditions. Dental implants have been proven safe and effective at replacing teeth for over thirty years with patients who generally have good oral and overall health when appropriately performed. Moreover, dental implants are made of biocompatible materials. They serve as a stable and secure foundation for dental implants.

Dental implants are a relatively safe procedure that dental specialists have been performing for over 30 years. Furthermore, due to advancements in technology, dental implant placement continues to improve over time. While the invasive implant procedure is considered safe, it is a surgical operation. As is the case with any surgical operation, there are complications. While the risk of infection or rejection is significant, the number of individuals who experience complications following implant surgery is relatively small.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants have a significant and favourable impact on a patient’s life. Not only would the easy treatment improve your appearance, but it will also improve your overall quality of life. Unlike other dental procedures, an implant replaces the tooth root, not just the crown. The bone bonds to the implant provide a solid foundation for chewing that looks natural. The implant is permanent and designed to last a lifetime.

There are numerous benefits to using dental implants, including:

It Functions Identically to A Natural Tooth.

One of the most significant benefits of an implant is that it restores full chewing ability. The majority of patients are unable to distinguish between their natural teeth and the implant teeth. They can eat regularly while wearing it and brush and floss normally.

Designed to Last a Lifetime.

While a dental bridge may last approximately ten years, dental implants may last a lifetime. The titanium implant is biocompatible and merges with the jawbone. It is biocompatible, which means that it is non-toxic and does not cause the body to reject it. In summary, it is a highly effective tooth replacement.

It Helps to Avoid Bone Deterioration.

Bone loss occurs in the jaw when there are no tooth roots (or implants) to stimulate the jaw bone. Without a tooth, the jaw bone deteriorates due to a lack of stimulation. If no implant is implanted within the first year of tooth loss, the surrounding bone area loses 25% of its volume, and the loss continues over time.

Dentures can speed up bone loss because they frequently become loose and grind on the bony ridge, progressively wearing it away. Normal chewing is restored because an implant replaces both the root and the tooth, promoting natural bone growth.

Strengthen the Neighbouring Teeth.

The gap left by a lost tooth might cause surrounding teeth to move crookedly in the gap’s direction. This causes your teeth to shift out of position, affecting your bite, ability to eat, and attractiveness. It may cause interference, making single tooth replacement more difficult in the future. A bad bite can also cause problems in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint), resulting in pain and headaches.

It Can Help Keep You Free of Gum Disease.

A gap between teeth can act as a trap for food and germs, resulting in gum disease.

Dental Implants Can Prevent Facial Sagging and Premature Aging.

Facial sagging may be an unintended consequence of bone loss caused by missing teeth. This is the point at which the lower part of the face begins to collapse, gradually narrowing the space between the nose tip and the chin. Excessive wrinkles around the mouth, thinner lips, and a more pointed chin can contribute to a person’s appearance looking much older than their actual age.

Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you have a reasonably strong jaw bone, do not have periodontitis (gum disease), and do not smoke, you will most likely be eligible for a dental implant. Also, implants are generally the best option if you have one or more missing teeth or if your teeth are broken or decayed beyond repair. If you’re unhappy with your dentures, partial dentures, or dental bridge, implant technology may also help.
Typically, people with insufficient bone or particular medical conditions or behaviours were not considered good implant candidates. However, advances in diagnostics and bone reconstruction have made it so that most patients can receive dental implants.

After surgery, it is best to avoid foods like nuts and popcorn and stick to a soft food diet.

What is Involved in a Dental Implant Procedure?

When you receive dental implants, you replace metal posts with natural tooth roots. These dental posts function similarly to screws for false teeth. Implants are unique among bridges and crowns in that they function and look like natural teeth.

The approach in which your oral surgeon performs the dental operation is determined by the type of implant you need if you have an allergic reaction and the state of your jawbone. You may require multiple dental operations to recover your bone around the implant properly. This healing process may take some time, but it will secure the new tooth.

1. Initial Assessment

Your dentist or dental surgeon will perform a complete evaluation to ascertain the health of your jawbone and the most appropriate dental implant technique. This initial evaluation will include X-rays, impressions, and colour matching of your teeth to ensure that your implant appears as natural as possible. Depending on your oral health status, you will choose the number of teeth you wish to replace with implants, which may require consultation with other dental professionals, such as periodontists.

Additionally, you will review your medical history and current medications. Depending on your health or orthopedic implants, antibiotics may be required before surgery.

2. Tooth Extraction

If you still have a tooth that requires replacement, your oral surgeon will extract it before doing any dental work. This procedure can be performed concurrently with implant implantation. Your dentist will discuss several anesthetic choices with you. Most likely, your dentist will use novocaine (or lidocaine) as a local anesthetic to numb the area and alleviate any pain. Unless the tooth is damaged, extraction should be quick.

While the tooth is pulled, you will only feel a slight tug and pressure. Following the extraction, you should refrain from blowing your nose, smoking, excessive spitting, or drinking via a straw. These actions may result in a dry socket and associated pain.

3. Dental Implant Placement and Bone Grafting

Dental implants are classified into two types: those introduced into the jawbone and those placed immediately beneath the gumline. Let’s address whether or not you’ve had the implant placed in your jawbone. If your existing jawbone is robust and thick enough, you may not require additional bone. Your jaw must be robust since it is subjected to a great deal of pressure when you chew, and your bone must be strong to preserve the implant. If your jaw requires additional bone, it is often derived from an area of your jawbone other than the implant area.

If you have a graft, you may need to wait for the adequate bone to mend before adding the implant. The dentist or dental surgeon will place the implant after the bone has healed.
Following the implant placement in your jawbone, the jawbone will begin to develop around it. The implant is then integrated into the natural gum line. The length of this process varies by individual and might take between three and nine months.

4. Abutment Placement

Once the implant is sufficiently stable, the dentist will attach an abutment. This piece is used to attach the implant to the crown. The abutment must be tightened to ensure it remains in position during eating. Except for a slight pressure, you will feel nothing during this operation. A local anesthetic will be administered to that location. Because the abutment extends beyond the gum line, it can sometimes be inserted concurrently with the implant. Because it will be apparent when you grin, you must consider how to conceal this component. The dental surgeon will place a healing cap over the abutment to prevent tissue and bone from developing over it.

5. Integration of the Permanent Crown

Your dentist will create your fake tooth or crown after your gums have healed. You can opt for a detachable or permanent implant. If you have numerous teeth in the rear, similar to removable dentures, you may prefer the removable version to allow for easy cleaning and replacement if necessary. A permanent implant cannot be removed for replacement or cleaning. It is permanently bolted or bonded into the abutment.

Are Bone Grafts Needed for Dental Implants?

While bone grafting is not always necessary for dental implant surgery, when it is, it can considerably improve the patient’s chances of a successful treatment outcome. Only your dental surgeon, frequently using specialized imaging technologies, can determine the need for a bone graft. If your bone density has deteriorated, your jawbone may no longer be dense enough to support an implant. When a dentist replaces your teeth with dental implants, a little titanium post is surgically placed beneath your gums and secured to your jawbone. As such, the density of your jawbone must be sufficient to support the post. A bone grafting surgery can increase the density of your jawbone, ensuring a flawless fit for the titanium post.

Can Dental Implants Fail?

Although it does happen, a failed dental implant is a relatively rare situation. There is no reason to fear if this occurs, as therapy is available. Often, the cause of failure is also treatable. While dental implants are typically a predictable and effective procedure, their correct implantation requires training and experience.

How to Minimize the Chances of Dental Implant Failure

The thought of a dental implant failing might be alarming. The good news is that preventing dental implant failure is surprisingly simple. The following are the guidelines for lowering the risk of dental implant failure:

Patients can relieve swelling and discomfort in various ways following dental implant surgery.

Avoid strenuous activity for at least 48 hours after surgery. An elevated heart rate can increase bleeding, discomfort, and swelling. It is recommended to wait a few days before undertaking strenuous duties or exercise.

Keep away from aspirin and other blood-thinning medications.

Certain over-the-counter pain medications and herbal supplements may affect blood coagulation, resulting in more bleeding. Patients should see their dentist ascertain the safest medications to take following dental implant placement.

Ice packs can be used to help with swelling reduction.

Patients might use a cold compress on the cheek area near the implant position following surgery. Remove the ice pack after 15 minutes and wait another 20 minutes. Intermittent use of ice packs can help reduce inflammation and pain.

All medications must be taken precisely as prescribed.

Undoubtedly, the dentist will prescribe certain medications, such as analgesics and antibiotics. Additionally, they may offer over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort and swelling. To minimize pain and other side effects to a minimum, patients must adhere to the dentist’s prescription regimen.

Avoid foods that are too crunchy, too firm, or too tough.

It is advised to avoid nuts and popcorn following surgery and stick to a soft food diet.

Maintain proper dental hygiene.

While brushing and flossing at the implant site may be difficult for many days following the procedure, it is vital to keep the area clean. Typically, the dentist will recommend an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent hazardous bacteria from spreading.

Final Thoughts

Are you interested in learning more about how dental implants can help you? Dental implants provide a strong, secure, long-lasting foundation for dental restorations. If you have experienced tooth loss and would like to know more about minimising dental implant risks and complications to make dental implants one of the safest, most predictable treatments available in modern dentistry, contact our friendly team at +61 3 8771 403.

At Narre Warren Dental Care, we offer general anaesthetic for all dental procedures; you may even sleep through the operation! If you live in the Narre Warren area, our implant dentist may be able to assist you in achieving your ideal smile with dental implants.

We create a gorgeous smile while ensuring each patient’s satisfaction through our individualized, professional, and cutting-edge environment. On the other hand, because everyone deserves and requires dental care, we strive to provide a cost-effective range of dental treatment alternatives, as well as customized treatment plans. We’re excited to assist you in achieving the healthy smile you’ve always cherished!

Disclaimer – Use At Your Own Risk :- The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. Any action you take upon the information on these blogs are strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of the information from these blogs.