Failed Dental Implants

Most implants placed today are root form implants.

Root form implants problems can be classified as failed, failing, or ailing:

Failed implant: Worst case - if the implant has any mobility the only acceptable treatment is removal
Failing implant: Requires immediate attention - if x-rays show increased bone loss around the top of the implant, the cause (poor oral hygiene, a bad bite or a host of other reasons) must be determined and corrected. After the problem has been satisfactorily treated, the resorbed bone should be grafted
Ailing implants: Lease severe - Any signs of redness, inflammation, or mild bone loss may be signs that the implant is not completely healthy. Seek treatment to avoid further problems

Tooth material failures: Often the patient is better served by the use of a compomer or acrylic surface in large prosthetic case rather than using porcelain. The physical properties are more forgiving than hard porcelain. This acts as a shock absorber to reduce the load on the implants.

Prosthetic failures: The initial design of the prosthesis plays a large role in the servicablity. Large multi-unit cases should be screw retained. Although they are more costly and complex inititally, they generally do not have to be completely remade in the event a repair is necessary.

Fractured abutments: The principle concern is to maintain the health of the implant. In some cases the abutment may simply require a new screw. Other cases may necessitate remaking the abutment and/or crown.

Fractured implants: Using the wrong type, size, quantity, position or length of implant, thereby causing over loading, may result in implant failure. It is imperative that the fractured implant be removed as traumatically as possible.

Improper implant placement: The implant is placed in an area that is unrestorable. A special trephine drill is available for most major implant systems to remove the implants. The drill is razor thin and fits on the outside of the implant. It is irrigated from the inside. This prevents additional bone loss and the irrigant reduces the overheating of the bone. They are very expensive drills, however they are the "kindest" to the tissue.

Broken or fractured implant screws: The crown or abutment are attached to the implant by a screw. If the screw is fractured it must be properly removed to prevent damage to the implant.

Loosening screws: Make sure that a prosthetic screw is used, not a laboratory screw. The framework does not have a passive fit and the screw is used to compress the framework to the implants, the bridge is retained by implants and natural teeth that are mobile, the occlusion (bite) is off.

Contact us at (847) 475-8700 or use our convenient Ask The Dentist contact form to arrange a private consultation. Learn more about the Teeth-In-One-Hour procedures available through Nobel Biocare and how they be applied to your dental need.

Dr. Marinic will provide you with the objective details and available treatment options you can have and need for making an informed decision about which combinations of advanced tooth replacement technologies would be available for you.

Our restorative procedures can be reviewed in more detail at our cosmetic website.

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Illinois IL Full Mouth Guided Implant Dental Reconstruction
Daniel Marinic, DDS, FIOCI
2611 Broadway Avenue
Cook County Evanston
Chicago IL 60201
(847) 475-8700
National Consultant at