Do Dental Implants Always Succeed?

Though once thought of as new and extreme, dental implants now have a well-earned reputation as the premier choice to replace teeth lost to periodontal disease, injury, or other reasons. Long-term high rates of success for dental implants have been well established over the last three decades and even longer. I have treated dental implant patients of Orange County and Los Angeles in my Long Beach, Torrance, and Downey dental offices. Many of the patients fitted with dental implants as early as 1978 still have their dental implants today.

Dental implants boast a high success rate, though it is possible for a dental implant to be rejected. Early dental implant failures can occur due to localized lack of resistance to infection. Colonization of the dental implant or implant site by opportunistic normal bacteria from the saliva can also cause infection due to reduced host resistance or rejection from interference with the osseointegration process. These situations are rare and the affected dental implants are usually easy to replace.

Infrequently, dental implants can loosen after a seemingly long period of functioning properly. A change in the bite, clenching of teeth, or simple wear and tear on neighboring teeth can also cause such problems. Frequent, competent, and professional maintenance by an expert dental implant specialist and associated hygienists can help avoid these problems. Regular examination and routine maintenance also increase early detection of peri-implant disease or harmful tooth and/or dental crown relationships. Additionally, periodontal and peri-implant probing—as well as evaluation and treatment of pocket fluids and gum tissue conditions—often leads to reversal and/or elimination of potentially harmful peri-implant disease. Bone grafts, simple periodontal surgery, or bite adjustments can usually be easily administered by an expert dental implant specialist to accomplish appropriate intervention.