Dental implant failure can be a scary experience to be facing as a patient. You may have many questions – can the implant be repaired? Will the entire implant need to be replaced? What will this process look like? For patients in Glendale, Pasadena, and La Cañada, our team at Lytle, Tate & Stamper have the answers.
Why Might a Dental Implant Need to Be Repaired or Replaced?
There are a few situations in which a dental implant may end up needing to be replaced or repaired. It is important to keep a close watch for signs of dental implant failure, as early identification can be vital in determining how bad the damage is and what can be done to repair it. You can read more about dental implant failure on our blog.
If a dental implant has failed, it may be because the bone rejected the implant, or because gum disease or other infections have caused the bone to deteriorate. In this case, several steps could be taken, including a bone graft to ensure there is a good foundation for the implant to be placed in. A bone graft is a procedure where the doctor will place new bone material where it is needed, and your existing bone will create new cells to bond to it, thus providing a more solid base for the implant. In instances such as this, a new implant will likely need to be placed to accommodate the new structure.
In other cases, the dental crown attached to the implant abutment may get chipped or become worn down. Here, the actual implant would not need to be replaced, though the crown may need to be repaired using a bonding material, or fully replaced.
Are Repairs or Replacements Common?
It is important to remember that dental implant patients have a 95% or higher success rate, and they are widely recommended over other procedures due to the strength and stability they provide over long periods. It is also essential to practice good dental hygiene as a preventative measure against diseases or infections that could affect the shelf-life of your implant.
For patients in the Glendale, Pasadena, and La Cañada areas, our staff of doctors will work with you to determine the exact extent and type of damage to your dental implant or crown and create a customized treatment plan based on that information.
At Lytle, Tate & Stamper, our priority is to keep you healthy and happy with a beautiful smile. We encourage yearly check-ups so that our knowledgeable team can inspect the status of your implant and ensure there are no complications.
If you’re concerned about your dental implant, give our Glendale, Pasadena, or La Cañada offices a call to set up a consultation!
