Are Problems With Dental Implants Really That Common?

Are Problems With Dental Implants Really That Common

People put a lot of importance on appearance and aesthetics today, and looking presentable is always good and can affect our self-esteem and mood daily. But what happens if we’re missing a tooth or two? We know that the first thing people notice about you is your smile. With that in mind, missing a tooth can make or break someone’s confidence. Luckily, dental implants are the perfect solution to those problems. If you want to find out if you’re a good candidate for a dental implant or how implants work, enter this link.

Problems can arise even though teeth implants are meant to last a long time, and they’re more common than most people think. However, these dental implant problems aren’t something you should immediately expect. They depend on many factors, and you may not experience them at all.

Still, signs of problems with dental implants are always good to know, just in case. Noticing these dental implant problems and symptoms on time can make a big difference and significantly influence your healing process.

Reasons for Getting Dental Implants

Before we go into problems with dental implants and how to spot them, we should briefly go over the reasons why people seek out an implant dentist in the first place. The most logical answer is that people want to replace missing teeth, but there’s more to it. The reason why dental implants are so popular is because of what happens if you don’t get them.

Missing a tooth isn’t a big deal if it’s not visible or you’re not too worried about your physical appearance. But these are some of the things that can happen if you let a missing tooth go unchecked:

  • Difficulty biting and chewing
  • Potential bone deterioration
  • Teeth shifting

These things may not sound too bad to some, but they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. That’s why getting a tooth implant is always a good idea.

Different Types of Dental Implants

The kind of implant for tooth replacement you get will depend only on the current state of your jawbone. With that in mind, your implant dentist can offer you these implant types:

  • Endosteal
  • Subperiosteal
  • Zygomatic

Sometimes, problems with dental implants will vary depending on the type of implant you have. The Endosteal implant is the most common and has the fastest healing process, but that still doesn’t mean problems can’t arise. On the other hand, the Zygomatic implant requires the most complex installation procedure, but that won’t automatically mean you will experience problems with a dental implant. While the implant type won’t affect whether you’ll have issues or not, it can affect the kind of issue you can potentially experience.

Problems With Dental Implants and How to Spot Them

Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with dental implants is implant failure. The statistics show that dental implant failure rates are around 2-3%, which means your implant is unlikely to fail. Still, you should be aware of other potential issues, and they can include:

  • Infections
  • Damage to nerves, gum tissue, other teeth, etc.
  • Sinus issues

These potential issues may not come from the implant itself but the procedure done by an inexperienced oral surgeon. It’s good to know that these problems have a risk rate, so not everyone will experience them. You may if you:

  • Have poor health
  • Don’t follow doctor’s orders
  • Smoke
  • Have certain conditions like diabetes or leukemia

Nobody wants to have any complications post-surgery, but it’s good to know that your dentist can manage any irregularities. All you need to do is notice the symptoms on time and not neglect them.

Symptoms You Shouldn’t Brush Off

The reason why complications get worse is that people often brush symptoms aside. Some pain and discomfort may be expected after implantation surgery. But you need to learn to differentiate between what’s normal and a sign of something wrong. The best thing to do is keep track of your implant during your healing process. Obsessing over it isn’t good either, but checking on it while brushing your teeth can’t harm anyone.

Besides pain and discomfort, other symptoms can be a telltale sign that you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. They include:

  • Fever
  • Difficulty processing food
  • Gum inflammation
  • Bad breath
  • Gum discharge or pus
  • Loose or shifting implant

People will often experience more than one symptom simultaneously, which helps them determine if their body may be rejecting the implant or something is wrong. The worst thing you can do is try to let a symptom pass on its own. 

What Can You Do to Ensure a Speedy Healing Process?

Your dentist will give you a set of rules to follow during your recovery. This may even include medication to help with pain or discomfort. Naturally, the best thing you can do is follow those rules. Many people think that they don’t have to follow the instructions strictly. Unfortunately, this is the best way to ensure post-op implant complications.

Aside from following your dentist’s instructions, you can adopt a healthier lifestyle. This can only be temporary while your healing process lasts. This lifestyle change doesn’t need to be drastic, but there are some things you should definitely do to ensure a speedy healing process. You may want to:

  • Stop smoking or chewing tobacco for awhile
  • Maintain a good oral hygiene
  • Have regular check-ups with your dentist
  • Avoid hard or sticky foods
  • Get a mouth guard as a protection from further damage if you grind your teeth

Don’t worry if you experience complications even though you’ve done all you could for your healing process. Your dentist is always one call away, and they’ll be able to deal with any problems that arise. The best thing for you to do is not stress and leave everything in your dentist’s capable hands.