Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Indianapolis, IN

Protecting Your New Smile

At Indy Dental Group, we understand the investment that comes with dental implants. Much more expensive than traditional prosthetics, the last thing that should occur is a failed dental implant in Indianapolis. Although extremely rare, it can occur, and should it happen to you, make sure you contact our office as soon as you notice symptoms. Our team will work diligently to get your smile back on track and prevent worsening, complex, and often, costlier treatments. Contact us today if you’re interested in learning more about the potential for dental implant failure.

Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

It is important that you understand that it is extremely rare for a dental implant to fail. However, should it occur, it is likely due to one of the following reasons:

• Peri-implantitis (similar to gum disease)
• A weakened immune system caused by autoimmune disorders or health conditions
• Improper placement during surgery
• Facial trauma
• Failed osseointegration

Out of all the reasons mentioned, peri-implantitis is most common simply because it occurs when a lack of oral hygiene is practiced at home. When bacteria and plaque attack the soft oral tissues surrounding your teeth, they can spread beneath the gum line and negatively impact the dental implants in Indianapolis, bone, and tissues.

Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants

Symptoms associated with a failed dental implant are not the most obvious, especially if you’re unsure what to look for. Our team at Indy Dental Group is here to share which signs should have you calling our office right away:

• A loose dental implant
• Pus forming on the gums near the dental implant
• Difficulty eating or biting down
• Swelling or bleeding near your dental implant
• Discomfort that doesn’t dissipate after your implant surgery but increases

How Dental Implant Salvage Works

To give your smile a chance at a longer life, we’ll need to implement dental implant salvage. This can look different for every patient solely because of the reason for your failed dental implant. If peri-implantitis is to blame, periodontal disease therapy will be provided to eradicate bad bacteria. If the bone is severely damaged as a result of the peri-implantitis, we may also need to perform a bone grafting procedure.

However, if facial trauma or failed osseointegration occurs, we may be required to remove the dental implant, allow the bone and tissues to fully heal, and then attempt to reinsert a new dental implant in the vacated socket.