People benefit from tooth implants when there is a loss of teeth from decay, root canal failure, gum disease, trauma to the mouth or congenital defects, according to Consumer Guide to Dentistry. Dental implants often work better than bridges or dentures and help keep the rest of the teeth properly in position to avoid further problems. Following the implant procedure, aftercare plays an important role to ensure a successful process. Although implant surgery has a high rate of success, it can fail for a variety of reasons in some cases.
Procedure
Tooth implants include the implant, usually made of titanium, which is placed in the jawbone. An abutment attaches to the implant with a screw and a crown that looks like a tooth fits either over the abutment or the implant. The procedure may take several visits for completion. Dentists drill into bone and work to properly fit the implants. Crowns are produced, based on impressions made from missing teeth and the surrounding teeth.
Damage
Clenching or grinding the teeth puts pressure on the implant and can cause bone damage or implant breakage. Infection may also set in during surgery. Jawbone injuries may occur from drilling or from the implant itself affecting the area. Drilling into the upper teeth may affect the sinuses or nasal cavity, according to the Colgate World of Care website. Nerve damage may result, causing numbness or tingling in the area. Dentists usually avoid nerve damage during the drilling process by taking x-rays before surgery and seeing where bones or nerves are located in each patient.
Failure
Implants may fail because they are positioned poorly and cannot fit properly with the rest of the teeth. Implants can break or crowns can become lose. Staying in close contact with the dentist following surgery can help to avoid or repair these problems. Dentists tell smokers to give up smoking before dental implant surgery. Smoking increases the risk of implant failure as well as gum problems and disease.
Prevention
Continual follow-up contact with the dental surgeon helps in the aftercare process to deal with injuries or damage that set in. Complications may affect surrounding teeth or blood vessels, MayoClinic.com explains. X-rays and computed tomography, or CT scans, help find problem areas if patients notice discomfort. Dentists can then take measures to halt or minimize any damage to spare the implant.
Position
In some cases, implants may not make a perfect fit. Dentists position the implant based on the amount of bone available to perform the procedure. Surgeons try to make the implants as cosmetically appealing as possible, but position the implants so they remain strong and help the structure of the rest of the teeth. A well-positioned implant can last for 25 years, the Colgate World of Care website notes. Patients with dental implants no longer have to worry about cavities forming, but they need to continue with proper oral hygiene to avoid gum problems surrounding the implant, which can lead to gum disease.
