dental implant failure Archives

Can A Screw Retained Implant Crown Protect from Dental Implant Failure?

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had a consultation with a dental implant specialist. He told me that he has the highest success rate of all the specialists in his area because he uses screw retained crowns. I just wanted to check that with another dentist about it’s legitimacy. He’s kind of pricey, but it will be worth it if it gives the procedure the best chance of success. Something about the dentist makes me uncomfortable.

Meagan L. – Florida

Meagan,

I want to clear something up. Though some dentists have invested more time in dental implant training, there isn’t a recognized dental implant specialist. If he’s trying to pass himself off as one, then I’d be careful. Now, it might be true that he’s done a lot of training and has a great success rate. Don’t be shy about asking him what type of training he’s received. For instance, Dr. Coleman has reached fellowship status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).

There are many things that can factor into dental implant failure. It’s helpful if you can get a dentist who’s able to do both the surgery and cosmetic portion. That way there’s less chance of communication issues causing a problem. You’ll also want to make sure you’re not a smoker. Smoking greatly reduces your chances of a successful procedure.

You specifically asked about a screw-retained crown. The biggest benefit to the screw is the elimination of cement. Even the most careful dentists have some cement seep out. They’ll remove the remaining cement with hand tools, but if any gets left behind it will trap bacteria and could lead to infection, which is a leading cause of implant failure.

There are a couple of instances where a screw-retained crown won’t work. The first is if the patient has a hard time keeping their mouth open for an extended period of time. The other is a cosmetic issue. It could negatively impact how the crown looks. An expert cosmetic dentist will be able to tell you which one is best for your particular case.

If you’ve got misgivings about a dentist, it wouldn’t hurt to check their reviews, just to make sure there aren’t too many complaints about his work.

Dental implants on Groupon – too good to be true?

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been putting of getting a dental implant because let’s face it, I simply can’t afford it. I have been into see three different dentists and I couldn’t afford any of them. Then, what do you know, the best Groupon deal ever from a local dentist came up. His affordable dental implant offer has me ready to go. It is literally 50% off the other dentists fees. How can this be? I mean, I’m sure it’s too good to be true. But is it??? There has to be a catch.

– Michelle in New Jersey

Michelle,

Dental implants are expensive. There is not secret there. But here’s why. The expertise and advanced training required to successfully place dental implants is extensive. There are so many factors involved in the success of a dental implant including the oral surgery, the exact placement of the implant to avoid nerves and puncturing the sinus cavity, as well as the restorative porcelain crown that is directly placed on the implant post. There are also laboratory fees involved. All of these steps influence the fees involved.

So if you are seeing a deal that is half the fee of the other implant dentists you have visited, proceed with caution. Far too many patients are in search of affordable dental implants and end up with a negative experience. Many dentists will lure patients in with these deals and may not have the required expertise or may cut corners on the materials used. This is a red flag. If you end up with an infected dental implant or issues in any part of the process, you may end up spending so much more than the original fee to have everything fixed. That coupled with the risk to your oral health, simply isn’t worth it.

Be careful with deals on Groupon, Living Social, or other Deal of the Day sites. They have reached you with their targeted advertising, but it may cause more heartache than it’s worth in the end.

Trust is key with dental implants. You need to find a qualified implant with the appropriate training and credentials. The right dentist may offer affordable payment plans or work with you on payment as you go. Also, CareCredit is a third-party financing company that has excellent payment options, no-money down, and zero percent financing options. Check them out before you jump at Groupon!

My Dental Implant Keeps Breaking- Any Way to Ensure Success Next Time?

September 5, 2021 by Brian Sartin

A little over a year ago, I had to have a tooth pulled that was part of a dental bridge. Because two of my molars would then be gone, my dentist said the best solution was to get dental implants. I went through a whole ordeal of bone grafts and surgery and many months of healing before he could put the tooth on top. Then, within about two weeks, one snapped off. The whole screw part broke right where it came out of my jawbone. My dentist said it was a fluke and that there was space to do another and offered to do it at no charge. While that one was healing, the other broke off. So then I finally get the teeth put on top of those a couple months ago and one has already snapped off in the same place. My doctor said he’s not sure what’s happening, but he offered to fix it again. I don’t think I want to. This has been horrible. Is there any way to ensure success if I have the dental implant replaced again?

Thank you,

Moira in Iowa

Dear Moira,

Dental implants are quite an undertaking, and it’s disheartening when things go awry. However, they generally have a high success rate, and cases like yours are very rare.

Generally when a dental implant fails, it’s because of an infection, difficulty healing, or failure to integrate into the bone. Because most of them today are made of titanium or a titanium alloy, they’re incredibly durable and instances of actual breakage are mostly unheard of. However, there are a few dentists who purchase low-quality parts in an effort to save money. In reality, there are only a handful of reputable companies that make high-quality materials and the post alone can cost hundreds from one of them. At the same time, manufacturers in other countries have less stringent guidelines and can therefore sell a low-quality piece for under a dollar. It’s worth asking your dentist who his supplier is and researching the company. It may be a known issue with the dental implant parts he used. On the flip side, one would think that he would have taken note of this after the first two broke, and he would have switched companies.

The fact that you’re still having trouble strongly suggests that there is something wrong in the way he’s placing them. For this reason, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion from a doctor who specializes in dental implants. He can troubleshoot and may be able to pinpoint the underlying cause for sure.

Why Did My Friend’s Old Dental Implants Fail?

August 29, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been considering getting dental implants, but what my friend is going through right now terrifies me. I’m seriously reconsidering it. She had her dental implants done more than a decade ago and has had no problems with them whatsoever. She’s one of the reasons why I wanted to get my own- she was always raving about them and has a great smile. Well, a few weeks back, she said she felt a lump on her gums beneath one, so she looked up the name of a local dentist and went in to get it checked. He said that her dental implant failed. Not only that, but she had an infection and bone loss, so she couldn’t just get a new one. It’s going to be a whole big thing for her. My dentist told me there was some risks, but that they were on the onset of treatment, not ten years down the road. What happened to hers and how can I be sure it doesn’t happen to me?

-Devon in Indiana

Dear Devon,

Your friend has what’s known as peri-implantitis and it’s rare. Usually, if someone is going to have an issue with theirs, it occurs early, during the healing phase or right after the porcelain crown is placed. Peri-implantitis can occur years down the line, often without the patient being aware that anything is happening at first, but there are some tell-tale signs, such as bad breath or a bad taste in one’s mouth, which both come from the infection. As the infection remains unchecked, the bone around it starts to dissolve away, causing big problems.

You said that your friend had to look up the name of a dentist. This is the first red flag. It means she probably wasn’t getting her regular checkups, which would have likely detected the problem much earlier. Additionally, she wasn’t getting her teeth cleaned, which probably means she had some form of gum disease, if not periodontal disease. When you go forward with dental implants, it’s imperative to get these checkups and cleanings, so you can be sure you’re maintaining your oral health. This story would probably not have ended the same way if she had done this.

There are a few other things that can signal someone might be at risk for peri-implantitis. Smokers are more prone to it, which may be because of the constricted blood vessels and the high incidence of periodontal disease seen in them. There are also other conditions related to healing and bone density that could cause trouble as well.

When you work with an experienced implant dentist, he’ll take these things into consideration and will tell you if you’re at risk for it and if you’re not a good candidate for dental implants. Between this and making sure your teeth and gums stay healthy, you’re well on your way to keeping your smile beautiful for many years to come.

Affordable dental implants made my smile ugly.

August 25, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I took advantage of a commercial offer I saw on television for affordable dental implants. I did my research and all the reviews I came across seemed to be okay. I had two teeth that needed to be replaced on the bottom and the estimate I got from the implant dentist included the surgery and placement of the posts, abutments and the porcelain crowns. He had me get the teeth extracted at the initial appointment and then said I really needed “bone beads,” which were to aide in my healing. Well, fast forward six months and the bone beads weren’t covered by insurance and now he’s trying to tell me that I need to have my gums treated before the final restorations can be done. Did I mention, I still don’t have teeth! This affordable dental implants deal is turning out to be way more expensive than I anticipated. Was it a mistake to have the teeth removed? My smile is ruined and I feel like I’m just getting jerked around. Do you have any advice on what I should do next?

-Jeff in Nevada

Jeff,

Thank you for reaching out with your question. First off, sorry you are having a negative experience with your affordable dental implants. The biggest concern of your story is that fact that the cause for your teeth needed to be removed, doesn’t sound like it was ever addressed. This is highly concerning. If your teeth failed because of periodontal disease, then you wouldn’t have been a dental implants candidate in the first place. The periodontal disease should have been taken care of first. So, the fact that the implant dentist is suggesting “gum treatments” at this time, is a red flag. You will never know now if those teeth that were extracted, really could have been salvaged.

At this point, it would be in your best interest to consult with another implant dentist. Explain the situation up to this point and get an independent opinion about how to proceed. Another huge concern is the fact that you weren’t given temporary teeth. You should not have to walk around hiding your smile for months on end! Under normal circumstances, a dental flipper or a removable partial denture is recommended to fill the empty space. This also prevents any drifting of the surrounding teeth and would help you feel better from an aesthetics perspective. But, it’s time to cut your losses and find a reputable implant dentist in your area. Look for one that has extensive training and credentials in implant dentistry. Ask about their experience, success rate and to see examples of before and after photographs of work they have personally done.

Again, sorry this has turned into a dental implant horror story. Best of luck as you get this figured out.

Are my dental implants related to my sinus problems?

August 17, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have never had any sinus problems, my entire life, until I had my dental implants. It has been almost six months now since the implants were placed in my jaw and I have been suffering form sinus pain and infections ever since. I am miserable and it has to stop. It is interfering with everything I do. I have to at least wonder if the dental implants and the sinus issues are related. But when I took my concern to my dentist, he looked at me like I was crazy. I have been on antibiotics, over-the-counter meds, and tried many home remedies to alleviate my sinus symptoms. Is there something wrong with the implants? And just because my dentist doesn’t agree, is there anyone else I could talk to in order to see if they could be related? My dentist just keeps telling me to go to a general physician who keeps prescribing me more medication. This has to stop!

– Cheryl in West Virgina

Cheryl,

Sorry you are miserable. Has your dentist examined your dental implants since you have had all these sinus issues? Or did he simply redirect you elsewhere? If he hasn’t considered the possibility that the two are related, than it may be time to seek a second opinion. Many implant dentists have panoramic x-ray machines or three-dimensional scanning to give a complete picture of all the nerve endings and of your sinus cavity area. This information may be very beneficial in investigating the precise placement of the implants, and should show evidence that may link the two or help to eliminate the possibility.

So if your dentist hasn’t entertained the possibility, you need to see someone new. An Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) otolaryngologist would be an option or another implant dentist that uses sophisticated CT (3D) scanning to diagnose potential problems would be your best bet.

In some cases dental implants can impinge the sinus cavity if there was any error in the placement of the post. If left untreated, the implant may become loose, or infected, and dental implant failure may be a matter of time. You shouldn’t be suffering from a sinus infection for that length of time. Best of luck to you!