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Dental implants are the best tooth replacements, but even they can fail sometimes. Dentists must often remove these sorts to preserve a patient’s long-term oral health. With that said, you may wonder what removing a failed dental implant would involve treatment-wise. Your local dentist in Baytown is here to address that very question. So, here’s a primer on failed dental implants, how they’re removed, and what happens after they’re gone.
Context: Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
While dental implants rarely fail, they can stop working from time to time. Such failure is usually caused by one (or more) of the following factors:
- Peri-Implantitis –In certain cases, a patient can develop an oral infection around their implant site. This condition is known as peri-implantitis and damages the tissues supporting a dental implant, causing the post to fail.
- Bone Loss –If a dental implant is placed long after a tooth goes missing, the patient’s jaw may lack sufficient bone tissue. The implant post would then struggle to fuse and maintain stability.
- Trauma –Dental implant failure can easily result from accidents and injuries. Given a strong enough blow to the mouth or face, an implant post can be dislodged and have its integrity compromised.
How are Failed Dental Implants Removed?
When a dental implant fails, a dentist must remove it from the patient’s mouth. How they go about that process will often depend on said patient’s situation.
The specifics usually come down to technology. Many dentists will use a trough bur to cut bone along an implant’s edge, releasing tension that helps with removal. On the other hand, some rely on an “adapter” that generates a high torque yield instead. This method allows a dentist to remove the implant without cutting any bone tissue at all.
Of course, you can expect the dentist’s final method to be pain-free. They’ll have you under local anesthesia or dental sedation before their work starts. As a result, you won’t feel a thing!
What Happens After Removal?
Similar to dental implant placement, implant removal is followed by some aftercare. This period ensures your mouth heals properly from the treatment.
Aftercare for implant removal tends to involve standard practices. For example, only have cold drinks until the anesthesia wears off; you should avoid food in the meantime. It’s also crucial that you don’t touch the former implant site with your fingers or tongue.
Removing a failed dental implant isn’t fun, but it can be necessary. Keep that fact in mind as you consider your treatment options.
About the Practice
Baytown Gentle Dental is based in Baytown, TX. Led by Dr. Ashraf Seif, our practice continually seeks to give patients the best level of dentistry possible. We accomplish that goal through our tailored preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as prompt emergency dental care. Our team is even ready to help you remove any failed dental implants! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (281)-837-9122.