Tooth Implant Surgery & Complications

Tooth implant surgery is a commonly used method of replacing missing teeth. Unlike a bridge or denture, a successful tooth implant is permanent. It looks natural and works just like a real tooth. Tooth implant surgery is done is many stages, and while the Mayo Clinic says it is usually successful, it can have certain complications. Some of them can be corrected, but others will force removal of the implant.

Surgery

• According to the Mayo Clinic, tooth implant surgery is done in several stages over a period of three to nine months or longer. First, the dentist drills holes and inserts a post into the jawbone. If the bone is too soft, she may also do a bone graft. This is allowed to heal for several months as the jawbone grows over the post, anchoring it in a process called osseointegration. Next, an abutment is placed on the post so the gum can grow around it. A few weeks later the artificial tooth is placed and the implant surgery is complete.

Incision Opening

• A dentist who performs tooth implants makes an incision in the gums and drills a hole in the bone to place the implant. When this is done, he sutures the gum together. It usually heals normally, but Atlanta Dental Implants says that certain problems can cause the incision line to open. If the blood flow is inhibited, the tissue can die instead of growing back together. This can happen if the dentist did a bone graft and placed too much material into the jaw. This can cause the sutures to be too tight, which restricts the blood supply.

Bone Loss

• Just as patients with severe gum disease can lose bone and eventually lose their natural teeth, those with tooth implants can have the same problem. People who have had a tooth implant must practice good dental hygiene, brushing and flossing regularly. Otherwise, the gums can get inflamed and the problem can spread down into the bone. If bone is lost around the implant, this can leave it without adequate support. Often bone loss can be treated through bone grafting.

Rejection

• Atlanta Dental Implants says that implanted teeth can be rejected just like any other type of implant or transplant. You can tell this is happening when the gums and bone around the implant site get swollen, red and inflamed. This happens because your immune system is attacking the bone and tissue in the area. The tooth implant will lose support, and it will loosen and become painful. Generally, you must have it removed when this happens.

Failure

• Tooth implants can fail if they are exposed to too much pressure. Atlanta Dental Implants says it is actually the post that fails. As a person bites down and exerts pressure, the post can get bent out of shape. This can also happen with people who chronically grind their teeth. Eventually the post can break, resulting in total failure of the tooth implant.