Melbourne dental implant failure and how to avoid it

Dental implants are now a very popular treatment option to replace missing teeth among adults. However, dental implants can also be used to stabilise dentures and bridges, providing better oral function and quality of life. But remember that dental implants are not indestructible and failing to take good care of them can lead to implant failure.

At High Dental Implants, we appreciate that the odds of having a dental implant in Melbourne fail are very low, yet we will do our best to help you protect your new teeth. To ensure the longevity of your dental implants, your implant dentist will provide all the necessary information and techniques to keep them clean and free of plaque and bacteria that could cause peri-implantitis, an infection similar to gum disease that affects dental implants.

What can make a dental implant in Melbourne fail?

Implant failure is not a common occurrence and there is a difference between short-term failure and long-term failure to heal properly. The latter is associated with systematic factors such as untreated gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, low bone density, poor oral hygiene or heart disease. Short-term failure refers to the complications during osseointegration (the period during which the bone heals) that can be overcome.

Visiting your dentist at regular intervals after your operation will help ensure that your dental implants remain healthy and heal properly. Symptoms of failing dental implants may include pain, bleeding and mobility of the dental implant. In these cases, you should visit your dentist immediately. Equally, if you fail to take good care of your dental implants and brush and floss them daily, you may be challenged with peri-implantitis. Just like gum disease, peri-implantitis is an infection of the gum tissue surrounding the dental implants and can be detrimental to your implant and oral health if left untreated.

If you suspect that you have peri-implantitis, you should consult your dentist immediately. Not only will they devise a treatment plan, but also they will make improvements in your home care. If your peri-implantitis is at an advanced stage, antibiotics or a further surgery may be required to ensure that your dental implants remain stable and functional.