Signs of
implant
rejection

How to recognize them

The popularity of dental implant treatment has grown exponentially in recent years. Although many people enjoy good oral health, tooth loss affects a significant number of individuals worldwide.

Because the success rate of a dental implant treatment is 95% or higher, the demand for dental implants has continuously increased. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), 3 million Americans have received dental implant treatment, with the number growing by 500,000 individuals annually.

Factors that can influence dental implant failure

Recent innovations in implantology, both in terms of technology and materials used, have increased the predictability and confidence in dental implant treatment.

The goal of a dental implant is to provide the functionality and aesthetics of a natural tooth. When the implant is placed in the bone, it triggers a biological response that represents an exchange of information between the materials used and the bone.

Depending on certain factors, the dental implant is either accepted or rejected by the body.

There are numerous factors that can influence the rejection of a dental implant. These include: the presence of medical conditions (such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases), lack of proper oral hygiene after the implant is placed, smoking, bruxism (a condition characterized by teeth grinding), the presence of allergies, gum infection, placing the screw in the maxilla rather than the mandible, and the use of certain medications.

Signs of dental implant rejection

Dental implants can fail either at an early stage or much later after the procedure. In the first case, it involves a failure of the osseointegration process. However, there are also situations where failure can occur even 10 years after the implant surgery.

"A dental implant procedure can be considered successful when it exceeds the 1-year period. Failures are either premature, within the first 2 months, or late, up to 1 year. The warranty provided to the patient is, for me as a doctor and for the patient, proof of the safety of a successful treatment," remarks Dr. Cătălin Martișcă, a specialist in Dento-Alveolar Surgery at DENT ESTET clinics.

One of the greatest risks for a patient undergoing dental implant treatment is the failure of the fusion between the implant and the bone, known as osseointegration.

According to specialists, the failure rate for dental implant treatment is up to 5%.

The dentist is the one who will be able to diagnose implant failure, so it is important to visit the dental office to check the degree of osseointegration and to detect any potential problems.

Here are the most common signs of implant rejection:

• Discomfort and pain;
• Difficulty in chewing and swallowing;
• Swelling of the gum;
• Gum recession;
• Inflammation or bleeding around the implant;
• Implant mobility.

Discomfort or pain

Although pain is part of the healing process for dental implants, it should not persist long after the procedure. If the patient experiences pain or discomfort beyond the usual healing period of the surrounding tissues, it is important to consult the dentist, who will determine the necessary steps.

Inflammation or bleeding around the implant

Red and swollen gums are often a sign of infection. Clinically, implant failure can be characterized by inflammation of the soft tissues or by the size of the gaps between the tooth and the implant. Changes involve both the hard and soft tissues around an implant.

To prevent this side effect, good oral hygiene and adherence to the dentist's post-operative recommendations are necessary. If inflammation is not treated and mobility is lost, it could lead to significant bone loss, potentially resulting in treatment failure.

Implant mobility

Implant mobility is the result of improper placement or lack of acceptance by the body.

A dental X-ray will indicate the area where problems have occurred, as mobility might not affect the screw but the healing abutment or the prosthetic work, a situation that can be quickly resolved by the prosthodontist.

If necessary, the replacement of the dental implant should be done as soon as possible.

Among the solutions offered by DENT ESTET are the following dental implants:

1. NobelPearl® Biocare (made from ceramic)
2. Straumann Pure Ceramic® (made from ceramic)
3. NobelSpeedy® (the number 1 choice in the USA)

The benefits of these treatments include improved dental health as well as overall health of the patient, making it the best investment when replacing one or more missing teeth, and increasing self-confidence.