Dental implant failure
Possible reasons
Dental implants are considered today as the best treatment option for tooth loss. The great advantage of a dental implant is that it replaces the missing tooth in the most natural way possible.
Implant-supported restorations give great aesthetic results and can last longer than most other treatment options, like traditional dental bridges or removable dentures.

However, no treatment option gives one hundred percent positive results when dealing with the human body. That is why dental implant failure is a fact that should be accepted.
The average success rate of dental implants is around 95%. It means that if a dentist places 500 implants, an average of 25 of those will fail.
Even if there are many reasons for implant failure, the most common cause of failure is when the patient and the dentist try to settle for cheaper solutions. Dental implant treatments are not cheap, and there is a good reason for that.
Next, we will try to summarize the most common reasons for dental implant failure:
-
Inadequate planning
Planning for dental implants is the most critical step of the entire treatment. Besides a thorough examination, dental implants need specific imaging methods such as panoramic X-rays or computed tomography, especially in more complex cases.
Modern computer software is also available; this can be viable in assessing dental implant position and placement. Some dentists may try to shortcut these tests or go for cheaper solutions; this can increase the rate of implant failure.
-
Inadequate information about the patient's general health or medical history
Some severe general conditions make anesthesia, surgical procedures, and the overall placement inadvisable. At the same time, other situations should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may require some preliminary treatments.
A thorough interview and diagnosis should be done to avoid complications later on.
-
Improper planning or execution of adjunctive surgical procedures
For an implant to osseointegrate, it needs to be surrounded by a healthy quantity of bone. Therefore, the bone will have to achieve an adequate width and height. Implants placed in inadequate bone have a higher risk of failure.
The adjunctive surgical procedures are planned to increase the bone amount or reposition anatomical structures that might interfere with the implants (such as the maxillary sinus or the alveolar nerve).
Some clinical situations will not require adjunctive procedures. However, when the case calls, they are essential for long-term success.
-
Inadequate dental implant fixtures
Even though hundreds of companies manufacture dental implant fixtures, only a few have really been keen on their research programs. Dental implants must undergo extreme research, and research programs are expensive.
This is one of the reasons implant procedures are expensive: because the dentist uses high-quality fixtures.
-
Implant surgery risks
Placement of dental implants is a surgical procedure and carries the normal risks of surgery. Some of these risks may lead to an increase in the rate of failure.
For example, the inability to place the implant in the bone to provide stability (the primary stability of the implant) increases the risk of failure to osseointegration. Modern imaging methods (such as CT scans or CBCT) can significantly reduce these risks.
-
Restoring an improper occlusion or bite
The long-term success of implants is determined, in part, by the forces they have to support. Therefore, restoring a proper occlusion (or bite) is one of the most important goals.
It is essential not to overload the implants with additional pressures and to distribute the chewing forces of the implants evenly. Otherwise, there is a high risk of failure.
-
Inadequate care
Dental implants require regular professional maintenance as well as proper home care. Taking good care of dental implants is vital for long-term success.
What can we do to avoid problems with dental implants?
Try to find an experienced doctor you'll trust; you can talk to former patients to ask for their feedback, or a friend or relative can recommend a dental surgeon.
Do not opt for cheap solutions; if your dentist recommends modern imaging methods or adjunctive surgery, take his advice; remember, it will cost you much more if the implants fail in a short time.
Follow all the care measures, and remember that regular checkups should be conducted at least twice a year.
E-book or Paperback
Planning to Whiten Your Teeth At Home?
Read this detailed book where dental experts explore and compare the best at-home teeth whitening methods available today.