Dental implants are successful in more than 95% of cases. That is an impressive statistic, but it implies a sad truth: Your dental implants are not guaranteed to succeed. There is always a small chance that failure will occur. If that ever happens to you, your dentist may have to remove the failed implant. What can you expect from this procedure? Continue reading to discover some important information.
Does the Implant Really Need to Be Removed?
The most common cause of dental implant failure is infection. The good news is that if an infection is caught early enough, your dentist may be able to treat it before it causes serious damage to the tissue around your implant. In other words, it might be possible to save your new tooth! That is why it is important that you seek prompt care if you ever suspect that something is amiss with any of your implants.
During your initial appointment, your dentist will perform a visual examination and possibly order X-rays or a CBCT scan. Based on the information they gather, they can determine whether implant removal or a more conservative option would be best.
The Implant Removal Process
The exact steps involved in removing a dental implant can vary. The details of the surgery depend on how firmly embedded the implant is in the surrounding bone tissue. If you received implants fairly recently, it is unlikely that they have formed a strong chemical bond with your jaw. Therefore, the removal process may be fairly simple. In contrast, if you have had implants for many years, there is likely a very strong connection between them and your bone, so the removal process may be more delicate and complex.
Regardless of the details of your procedure, you can expect your dental team to take a few key steps:
- They will talk to you before your procedure and answer all your questions.
- They will use local anesthesia and/or sedation to keep you comfortable while they are removing your implant.
- They will be careful to cause as little collateral damage to your oral tissues as possible.
Can You Receive a New Implant?
It can be disappointing to learn that one of your implants needs to be removed. The good news is that, in many cases, patients are eligible to receive a new implant. Usually, this is possible 6 – 8 months after the removal procedure. You might also need additional treatments, such as a bone graft or gum disease therapy, to make sure your mouth can adequately support new implants.
The dental implant removal process may seem intimidating, but as long as you entrust your care to a qualified team, you have every reason to hope for a positive outcome.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group, we are proud to offer a full range of dental implant services, including dental implant placement, restoration, and treatment for failing implants. If you believe there is a problem with any of your prosthetic teeth, contact us right away at 203-587-7327. We will do all we can to get your oral health back on track as soon as possible.