Dental Implant Failure & Salvage – Grand island, NE
Saving Your Smile After Implant Issues
Dental implants are one of the most reliable tooth-loss solutions in modern dentistry, with success rates reaching well over 95 percent. However, in rare cases, complications can occur that cause an implant to fail.
If you're experiencing any unusual or painful symptoms, our team at Stec and Stines Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is here to help. We offer dental implant salvage services in Grand Island to address the problem and, in many cases, save the implant before removal becomes necessary.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
The most common cause of dental implant failure is peri-implantitis, a bacterial infection that damages the gum tissue and underlying bone. It’s often linked to poor oral hygiene or untreated gum disease.
Other possible causes include:
- Failed osseointegration, where the implant doesn’t bond properly with the jawbone
- Injury or trauma to the implant site
- Medical conditions like diabetes or osteoporosis
- Bruxism (teeth grinding) that places excessive pressure on the implant
Regardless of the cause, early diagnosis is key to saving the implant, so it’s critical to see us at our Grand Island practice as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a Failed Dental Implant
Dental implant failure can occur at any time after your procedure, whether it’s shortly after placement or years later. Early failure typically happens during the healing process as osseointegration is interrupted. Late failure can take months or even decades to appear and generally happens due to poor oral hygiene practices over time.
If you’re concerned about the health of your implant, watch for these warning signs:
- Pain or discomfort around the implant
- Swelling, redness, or bleeding in your gums
- A loose or wobbly implant
- Gum recession around the implant site
- Trouble chewing or biting
- Visible bone loss in X-rays
- Pus or discharge around the implant site
- Bad breath or unpleasant taste in your mouth
- Fever or general malaise
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact our team immediately for an evaluation. Acting quickly drastically increases the chances of successful salvage, allowing you to keep your new restoration.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works
If a dental implant is showing signs of failure, getting treatment quickly is crucial. Dental implant salvage aims to correct the issue without removing the implant, when possible.
When you arrive for your appointment, we’ll start with a thorough exam and digital imaging to assess the implant and surrounding tissue.
If peri-implantitis is present, we may perform a deep cleaning, prescribe antibiotics, or recommend laser treatment to eliminate infection. In other cases, bone grafting or soft tissue treatment may be needed to stabilize the area.
If the implant can’t be saved, we’ll remove it and discuss replacement options. Either way, our goal is to protect your health and restore your smile as quickly and comfortably as possible. Don’t wait until things get bad—schedule an appointment as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary, and we’ll take a look.
