When you hear the words “dental implants,” you think “permanent” and “fixed.” But do these words really apply to dental implants? Do dental implants ever need to be removed? Can they even be removed? Not that many people know this, but dental implants can be removed either to reposition the overall restorative strategy or if the implants fail altogether. Dental implant failure is when your implant is lost due to infection or if you reject the implant.
.jpg)
Dental Implant Failures
There are many possible reasons for dental implant failure, but there are two main categories: early and late failure. Early failure happens within the first few months after you receive dental implants. The failure can be due to infection, too much movement during the healing process, or because the implant didn’t integrate well with your jawbone. If you experience early dental implant failure, a specialist can remove the implants because they are not fused to your jawbone. The other main category, late dental failures, can happen anytime after one year from implant placement. Causes can be an infection, too much force, or the implant just becoming loose. Late dental implant failures can also be removed by a specialist, but some implants are easier to remove than others.
Dental Implant Removal
The main factor in determining how difficult it will be to remove your dental implants is based on the quality of your jawbone. Generally speaking, implants in your lower jawbone are harder to remove than implants in your upper jawbone, but in some cases, those upper implants can be tricky. Another factor determining removal difficulty is the amount of time that has passed. The longer you’ve had your implants, the more they have fused to your jawbone, increasing the difficulty of removal. The size of your implant is another key factor in difficultness. If you have a longer and wider implant, it will be harder to remove from your jaw. If your implant is thin, this can also cause difficulty because it is more susceptible to fracturing as it is removed.
If you feel like your dental implant needs to be removed, contact our dental implant specialists at Advanced Prosthodontics. We can help you determine the best course of action and if your implants actually do need to be removed. Give us a call today at (610) 865-4222.