There are a variety of issues that can occur as a result of getting dental implants. Infection can set in around the site of the implant, for example. Poor placement of the implant also can cause nerve pain and damage. If the implant is not set properly, it may be loose or unsteady as well. In some cases, it may break and need to be replaced, or the body even may reject it.
One of the fairly common dental implant problems is infection. Bacteria can build up in the gums around the implant, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation. The teeth around the implant may also be affected, and in some cases the infection can cause bone loss in the jaw. When this occurs, the area typically needs to be cleaned and treated with antiseptic mouthwash or antibiotics; in severe cases, the implant may need to be removed so the infection can be cleared and healing can occur.
Another of the types of dental implant problems that can happen is when a nerve in the jaw is affected. If the implant is placed on or near a nerve, it can put pressure on it, resulting in pain or damage. Implants that are improperly placed in this way typically need to be removed and re-set in a more appropriate location.
An implant this is not firmly set in the bone also can be wobbly and loose; this may occur for a variety of reasons. For example, the initial surgery may not have been performed correctly, or the amount of bone in which the implant was set may not have been sufficient to keep it stable. Excessive pressure on the implant from other teeth may knock it loose as well. With these types of dental implant problems, the situation needs to be evaluated and addressed as appropriate to set the implant more firmly.
Complete failure of the implant is another of the potential dental implant problems. The metal used to make implants, typically titanium, may bend and possibly even break. Although it is not extremely common, when an implant breaks the dentist must replace it with a new one.
A dental implant is a foreign object that is inserted into the jaw, and sometimes a patient's body will reject it. The body considers it an intruder and therefore does not want it present. In these cases, the patient's own body may actually push the implant out. Patients in this situation may need to consider other options since their body will likely reject further attempts at putting in implants.