Are There any Risks to Dental Implants?

If you are considering getting dental implants placed in order to replace missing teeth, you probably have some questions about the risk involved. While placing dental implants is one of the safest and most effective procedures available in modern dentistry, there are some possible risks of which you may want to be aware.

As with any surgery, the surgery that is performed to place dental implants can cause complications. Some of the possible risks you may experience during surgery are infection, damage to the other teeth, sinus issues, fractures, and nerve damage. These risks are relatively rare, to be sure, but they still exist.

After the implant has been placed, the main risk you will need to watch out for is dental implant failure. The implants themselves are made of titanium, and as a result, are not affected by tooth decay in the same way as our natural teeth. In fact, the implant itself is totally impervious to decay. The main reason for implant failure is when an infection develops in the soft and hard tissues surrounding the implant. This condition is called peri-implantitis, and it is very similar in nature to gum disease. Also just like gum disease, peri-implantitis can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene. That means brushing your teeth at least two times a day and flossing them at least once. Some patients find that interdental brushes are useful for cleaning around the implant. Our dental implants specialist also highly recommends that you visit a dentist every six months for a professional exam and cleaning.

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