Failed Implant? Your Implant Dentist in Lynchburg Explains What to Do

Living with missing teeth is not your idea of happiness. It forced you to give up several of the foods that you love to eat and decreased your confidence. Thankfully, you found a way to restore your full function and self-esteem with dental implants, but lately you’ve noticed some changes that leave you wondering if your implant is failing. How can you know for sure? Are there any signs that you should be on the lookout for? Your implant dentist in Lynchburg weighs in with answers.

5 Reasons Why Implants Fail

If your implant is failing, you want to know why, so you can take the necessary steps to prevent it in the future. Below listed are some of the possible reasons:

• Autoimmune Disease – Diseases in this category (like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, etc.) are those that cause your body to fight itself, attacking and damaging its tissues.
• Poor Blood Supply – Your blood is responsible for transporting valuable oxygen and nutrients that are essential for healing. If you have an issue with your supply or its transportation, then it can compromise your implant.
• Medications – It’s important that your dentist know beforehand about any medications you’re taking, because that could play a big part in decreasing the longevity of your implant.
• Poor Health – Failure to take proper care of your teeth, gums and entire body could spell trouble for your dental implant.
• Infections – An infection can reduce the implant’s chances of seating. One of the more common ones that causes problems is peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease. Patients who smoke, have an autoimmune disease or have poor oral hygiene are more likely to suffer from this.

Now that you know some of the causes for implant failure, how will you be able to recognize that yours is deteriorating?

Signs That Your Implant is Failing

The following are signs to be on the lookout for:

• Severe pain or discomfort
• A loose or shifting implant
• Swelling or inflammation of the gums
• Gum recessions around the dental implant
• Difficulty biting and chewing

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it’s imperative that you reach out to your dentist immediately, because there is a short window of opportunity to repair an implant.

What Can be Done for a Failing Implant?

Your local dentist will be able to help you with your Lynchburg dental implants. He will have you come in to be examined, and while you’re there, will determine the reason for the failure and the appropriate treatment method.

The good news is that the percentage of dental implants that fail is only 5 percent, so you can feel confident that your issue will be corrected in a swift manner. Be sure not to hesitate in contacting your dentist so that you can soon be restored to normal.

About the Author

A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, Dr. James M. Peery, Jr. has four decades of experience practicing dentistry. Still, he maintains membership in several professional organizations so that he can stay abreast of the latest changes and innovations in the dental world. Dr. Peery can be reached for more information through his website.