What Happens If Your Dental Implants Wear Out? What to Do Next?
By: Dr. Rajan Sharma
Dental implants are the common and popular choice among individuals missing tooth or several teeth. Performed on millions of people every year with a success rate hovering around 97 %. The implants would easily last for a period of 15-20 years if one follows a good oral hygiene routine prescribed by a dentist near you. The implants are made of either Titanium or Zircon with almost similar functionality nor appearance to the natural teeth. They are also prone to effects like wearing out, aging, and damage similar to natural, healthy teeth. One must be able to recognize when the teeth implants are wearing out and what steps to take next.
Do Dental Implants Wear Out? Reasons Behind It
Yes, teeth implants are durable, strong, and integrate seamlessly with the jawbone. In most cases, titanium is used as a prosthetic or zircon sometimes. Implants can be affected permanently by severe trauma or force like accidents or fights. Other reported causes are bad eating habits, poor oral hygiene, and regular bruxism (grinding and clenching of teeth). Bruxism is attributed to the wearing down of natural teeth alongside implants.
Signs of a Wore Down Implant
A success rate of 97 % indicates that the implants would last for a lifetime without a need for a replacement. Yet as we all know, nothing is forever in the world. Implants do wear out eventually despite one following a good dietary regime and oral hygiene. This could occur due to poor eating habits, injury, trauma, accident, or even an infection. Let’s identify signs of a wore down implant:
- The prosthetic becomes loose
- During the regular dental check-up, there are signs of infection, redness, or swelling around the implant
- One can observe implant in the gumline
- Regular occurrence of numbness near the implant
Note; Everyone needs to understand the difference between a failed teeth implant and aging or wore down one. Implant failure is spotted in the initial 6 months or during the recovery period after the procedure. On the other hand, the wearing down of the implant is noted after a period of a few years and happens gradually.
What to do if the Implant Wore Down?
If you exhibit any signs mentioned above, schedule an appointment with the dentist immediately. You can schedule an appointment here or give us a call at 800-250-3500 right away. In a consultation, the dentist would be able to identify the problems. Mostly, you would experience bouts of numbness, pain, or discomfort around the jawbone. There would be a possibility that the dental implant has shifted in the mouth and needs replacement.
Dental Implant Repair & Replacement at the Dental Clinic Near You
Upon the evaluation, the dentist will simply fix the implant. In the event of the crown getting chipped or cracked, the dentist will replace it without any surgery. Plus, your dentist might need composite filling material to rectify or repair the damage caused to the implant. On the other hand, dental surgery would be recommended in the event the implant has become unstable or shifted. Importantly, make sure to visit your dentist every six months to identify any problems.
Interested in the Procedure? Schedule an appointment Today at Eon Clinics