About Complications After Tooth Implants

Dental implants look just like real teeth, and are permanent. They have several advantages over traditional dentures and bridges, including cosmetic appearance, comfort and convenience. They also prevent the bone loss and gum recession that usually occur when teeth are missing. However, some people experience significant complications, so anyone considering tooth implants must choose a dentist with a nearly perfect record of success in this area.

Identification

• Dental implants begin with an anchor rod, usually titanium, which is surgically embedded into the jaw. This is usually done under local anesthesia, and afterward, a waiting period of up to six months is required while the bone grows around the anchor. The person can wear temporary dentures during this time frame. Next, a titanium abutment post is added, although sometimes this step is combined with the first one. Finally, a metal prosthesis with a ceramic covering is attached by screws. Implants can replace any number of teeth and are permanent structures.

Types

• The most common complication is continuing pain, from irritating to debilitating. This may simply be a result of slow healing, typically only affecting one side of the mouth. The dentist may apply bacteria-killing solutions and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection or eradicate a mild infection, along with anti-inflammatory medications and prescription-strength analgesics if necessary.

Significance

• Much less commonly, the surgery can result in a sinus infection, or pain can be caused by a more serious infection of the gums or bone. Pain also can be caused by the titanium anchor compressing the bone, or the post may be too close to a nerve. In these cases, usually the dentist will remove the anchor rod and re-insert it later, if possible. Sometimes a dentist nicks the nerve that runs through the jawbone, which can cause pain and numbness. The pain usually dissipates in a relatively short time, but the numbness can take several months to go away, and may even be permanent.

Effects

• Sometimes a tooth implant remains loose because the bone does not grow snugly around it. In addition, gum disease may have destroyed enough surrounding structure that there is too little bone for implants to handle the stress of chewing. Also, if a person's bite is not aligned properly, extra pressure can be placed on the implant during chewing, which can cause it to fracture.
  In extremely rare cases, the person may have an allergy to titanium.

Considerations

• Tooth implants are almost always more comfortable than dentures, but they require diligent care and cleaning. Since the gum does not fit as snugly around the implant as it would around a natural tooth, the chance of inflammation is higher than usual. The individual will also need to visit a dentist for professional cleanings several times a year.

Prevention/Solution

• To avoid complications, the work should be performed by a specialist--a prosthodontist, oral surgeon or periodontist. The person considering tooth implants should do research on the amount of experience this dentist has and percentage of successful work performed, and whether any complaints have been filed. The family dentist can give tips on how to do this, and may work with specific specialists that are known to be highly-reputable.