Dental implants are a ray of hope for individuals with damaged or missing teeth. The modern and highly efficient prosthesis is a significant advancement in the dental world, and this procedure boosts your confidence by giving you natural-looking and functioning teeth.
The implants are robust and durable, withstanding normal chewing and functioning like natural teeth. Dental implant surgeries have a high success rate of up to 95%, but the risk of dental implant complications developing over time remains.
This article will discuss dental implant problems that you should look out for if you plan to undergo implant surgery. If you’ve already had surgery, be sure to contact our office if you need assistance with any of these unlikely complications that could arise.
Here is what we will cover:
- Infection
- Excessive Bleeding
- Nerve Damage
- Sinus Problems (Rupture)
- Loose Implant
Read on to learn more.
Most Common Dental Implant Complications
As the procedure involves surgical intervention, some post-operative issues may arise. The list of dental implant complications includes:
- Infection
Infection is one of the possible side effects from implant surgery. As with any surgery, infections typically develop soon after surgery and can lead to complications.
According to a study, 4 to 10% of patients receiving a dental implant develop implant infections post-operatively. The study concludes that two-thirds of infected implants fail even before prosthetic loading.
As a patient, you should look for post-operative infection within the first month of placement, as it can lead to implant failure. Localized swelling and pain around the implant, or fever can indicate an infection.
Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial. A case study concludes that timely management of dental implant surgical complications could preserve the bone-binding capability (osseointegration) and stability of the implant and save you from implant failure.
- Excessive Bleeding
In rare cases, chronic post-op bleeding becomes challenging and can lead to serious dental implant complications.
According to a systematic review, the greatest implant bleeding occurs in the mandibular canine region. It can be attributed to perforation of the lingual cortical plate and damage to the sublingual artery.
Excessive bleeding can block the airways and become a life-threatening emergency that requires intubation. Therefore, the dentist must pay special attention when placing implants in the lower anterior region (front teeth).
- Nerve Damage
Sometimes, placing an implant too close to a nerve can potentially pressurize or damage it. Implant-induced nerve damage can be temporary or permanent and can manifest as the following symptoms (in the affected region):
- Pain
- Numbness
- Burning and tingling sensations
- Paresthesia (abnormal sensations)
The trigeminal nerve is the major sensory nerve that takes sensory inputs from the lower jaw. This nerve lies close to the roots of the mandibular molars and, though nerve damage is rare, this is the nerve most commonly damaged during implant procedures.
Studies recommend a treatment plan explaining the risk of nerve damage be designed and discussed by the patient before surgery.
- Sinus Problems (Rupture)
Your facial bones house numerous hollow structures involved in cleansing inhaled air known as sinuses. The maxillary sinus is a large cavity that lies close to the upper jaw (maxilla).
In rare cases, the implant can protrude into the sinus cavity and cause problems. Research shows a great survival rate (95.6%) of the implant into the sinus cavity, but nose bleeding (epistaxis) was frequent in patients.
The residual bone height of the jaw and the patient’s smoking status plays an essential role in developing Schneiderian membrane (sinus membrane) rupture.
- Loose Implant
Loosening of the implant can also occur after some time. It is usually a problem that develops years later. Several factors play a part in the loosening of the implant. A lack of binding with the bone (osseointegration) is the real reason for a failed and loose implant.
Underlying pathologies like diabetes, smoking, and poor hygiene can contribute to a loose implant that fails after the osseointegration period passes.
Takeaway
Dental implants are safe and effective dental prostheses to give you a natural-looking smile, but there can be some complications. Some common dental implant side effects include infection, bleeding, sinus rupture, and nerve damage. Allergic reactions to the alloy are rare. You can also experience loosening and breaking of the implant after some time. These complications should be promptly treated.
The Dental Implant Place is a dental care center devoted to providing the best of dental implant-related services and has been serving Fort Worth, Texas and surrounding areas since 2006. The state-of-the-art facility and professionals strive to make your implant process faster, easier, less painful, and affordable, and always with the goal of success without and the aggravation of complications.
