Implants
Implant failure
Implant failure means a dental implant is lost or has to be removed because it did not bond to the bone or because it later came loose.
Some dental implants fail. An early failure happens when the bone does not bond well with the post. A late failure often follows infection or bone loss around a healed implant, such as peri-implantitis. A review in the NIH library discusses factors such as oral hygiene and smoking. Gum disease can also raise the risk. Warning signs are pain, swelling, a loose crown, or bleeding around the implant. Call your dentist if you notice any of these. Daily cleaning and regular checkups help the dentist find problems early. See osseointegration and bruxism, or our dental implant page.