Anticipating Potential Dental Implant Problems

bronx-dental-implant-problemsAdvancements in dental technology mean that dental implant surgeries are largely routine procedures with minimal complications. Today, the successful dental implantation rate is about 90%!

However, it’s still possible that some patients may experience minor dental implant problems after certain procedures. Usually, this is due to a-typical structures in the teeth, mouth or gums that may require extra care and attention on the part of your dental implant surgeon.

If you have any of the following symptoms of dental implant problems, contact your dental implant surgeon immediately.

Common Post-Procedure Dental Implant Problems

  • Dental Implant Infection: On of the most often-experienced dental implant problems is peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is a common infection caused by a bacterial growth at the surgical site. Patients may experience tenderness, swelling, or inflammation at or around the implantation site, which can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your dental implant surgeon. If left untreated, peri-implantitis can severely damage the jawbone and the dental implants will be rejected. To avoid infection, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and rinsing regularly.
  • Nerve Damage: Dental implants also carry with them the rare risk of nerve damage problem at the dental implant site, usually for implants on the maxillary (upper) posterior (back) jawbone. If the dental implant is placed too close to one of the nerves in the area, it can cause extremely painful nerve damage. The dental implant is usually immediately removed if the patient experiences such pain, and your dentist will prescribe pain medications.
  • Sinus Problems: Another common dental implant problem has to do with the maxillary sinus cavity, which resides just above the upper molars. In some cases dental implant posts may disturb the sinus cavities, causing moderate sinusitis symptoms. These disturbances may eventually heal, or your dentist may end up replacing the implant to correct the problem.
  • Loose or Unstable Dental Implants: Dental implants can also occasionally become loose after several weeks due to improper initial placement. They can also become loose if the implant fails to properly fuse with the jawbone over time. Loose dental implants are a serious problem, as an unstable implant can more easily break and will ultimately require reparation or complete replacement.

Many of these dental implant problems are only discoverable after the initial implantation procedure, so after surgery it’s important to monitor your health and keep all followup appointments.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms of dental implant problems after receiving dental implants in the Bronx? If so, it’s best to speak to your dentist about treatment options and possible solutions.

To read more about dental implants at our Bronx offices, visit our Dental Implants Information page. You can also call or make an appointment online for a consultation! () DR SMILE