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Can Anything Go Wrong with Dental Implants?

Dental implants are great, but they are a surgical procedure and there’s always the risk that something could go wrong. Dr David Brown can answer all your questions about dental implant in Leeds, and will make sure these risks are kept to an absolute minimum so you’re most likely to experience any complications. Dental implants have average success rate of 95%, and this can increase if they are properly cared for. Most problems will be relatively minor and can easily be resolved, but if you’ve recently had an implant and feel that something may be wrong then it’s worth contacting your dentist, or getting in touch with Leeds City Dentalcare for advice. A quick response will increase the chances of the implant being saved. Possible things that can go wrong include:

The Dental Implant Fails to Integrate with Your Jawbone
Once your implant is placed, a process called osseointegration has to occur, and this is where the body begins to produce new bone cells that attach themselves to the surface of the implant post. This allows the post to fuse with the jawbone. Very occasionally an implant may fail to fuse properly with the jawbone and it could become mobile. This is something that can occur if there is insufficient bone volume or density, or if the implant is overloaded. It can also occur if the implant is suddenly damaged in some way. Our dentist in Leeds will ensure you have sufficient bone before the implant is placed, and if there’s insufficient bone and then we may recommend you have a bone graft prior to surgery.

Implant Infection
If you fail to look after your implant properly then it can become infected with a condition called peri-implantitis. This is where the gum and the bone surrounding the implant to become inflamed, and it’s actually a form of periodontal disease. It’s something that can sometimes be treated, but it can result in bone loss and ultimately the failure of the implant. It can occur quite soon after surgery, or it may be years after the implant was originally placed. People who have poor oral hygiene, those with diabetes, or people who smoke, are more at risk of developing this infection. Our surgery will give you full instructions on how to care for your implant, and regular check-ups will enable us to ensure your implant is clean and free from disease.

Damage to Nerves and Tissues Surrounding the Implant
This is something that only occurs very rarely, but can happen if the implant is placed too close to a nerve. If this happens then it can cause pain or a tingling sensation, or the area surrounding the implant may feel numb. The condition may be temporary or permanent, and it might be that the implant needs to be removed. This is something that is more likely to happen if you choose an inexperienced implant surgeon who doesn’t plan the procedure properly. This is not likely to happen at Leeds City Dentalcare, as Dr David Brown has taken a 12 month course in dental implantology. Look no further for dental implants in Leeds.

These are all things that happen only very rarely, and it’s important to stress that they’re unlikely to affect you. After you’ve had your implant placed you may feel a little bit of discomfort during the first couple of days, but this feeling should quickly subside. If you do experience extreme pain that seems to be getting worse, or if the implant begins to bleed excessively then you should contact your dentist immediately.