Since their contemporary introduction in the 1980s, dental implants have generated interest between dentists and patients alike. Although dental implants have been around in different forms for thousands of years, today’s technology is still relatively new. And it continues to inspire more research and progress in the field.
The more popular a procedure is, the more cases there will be of complications. This can sometimes undermine the reputation of a treatment, while the percentage of patients with complications is not actually higher—sometimes, it’s even lower than in other procedures. Dental implants are a good example because of their tremendous popularity. Inevitably, with more patients undergoing these surgeries every year, more complications will be reported or discovered.
Although the instances of these cases are few and far between, many patients are left with lingering curiosities of what complications are possible. Here, we will outline a few documented cases. But remember—hundreds of thousands of dental implants are placed every year, and the number continues to grow. The continued popularity of dental implants is largely due to what a safe solution they are for tooth replacement.
Surgical complications
- Surgical complications from dental implants can sometimes lead to your body’s rejection of the implant. This might be due to your bone’s capacity to bond to the metal (a process called osseointegration), or to other individual issues in healing.To avoid implant rejection, it is recommended to have a dental implant placed as soon as possible once a tooth has been removed. This often eliminates the need for bone grafting, and gives your jaw the best chance at bonding to the implant.
- Dental implants include three parts: the internal metal implant, the abutment, and the crown. Any one of these parts can show manufacturer errors that lead to implant failure, although these are extraordinarily uncommon.To avoid implant failure, communicate any abnormality to your dentist. The most common part of a dental implant to fail is the crown, which is the easiest part to replace. The implant itself is left to heal for months before a permanent crown is cemented on, and so any issues with the implant itself are almost always detected before the procedure is finished.
After-care complications
- Infection is a possibility after any surgery. In extreme cases, serious infection can lead to loss of the implant. Infections can also have implications on nearby nerves and blood vessels, or even other teeth.To avoid post-surgery infection, practice your best oral hygiene. The natural flora of your mouth already has good bacteria, but healing sutures are susceptible to catching food. Food particles feed the bacteria and can ultimately cause problems. Drink lots of water, and be sure to floss and brush.
- In the case of a one-stage implant surgery (a new option available with recent developments in the field), you might leave surgery with a temporary crown. This is great for confidence and keeping your smile intact, and lessens the blow of the long healing process while the implant binds to your bone. But it also means that you can chew normally, which sometimes leads to being less conscientious of the healing implant.To avoid complications from unintentional damage to the implant, be very careful around the implant site. Even if you don’t have a temporary crown in place, remember that excess pressure can interfere with the implant’s healing process.
These complications are rare—so rare, that the popularity of dental implants has grown explosively in the last 30 years. General side-effects are, nonetheless, relatively common. This is to be expected after any type of surgery, and doesn’t typically lead to other complications. After surgery, you can expect swelling and discomfort. You will also have several check-ups over the course of osseointegration to check progress—so, if your swelling persists, or the pain worsens, talk to your dentist.
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