Dental implants are currently one of the most effective and long-lasting options for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants offer advantages from an esthetic, functional and general health point of view. Thanks to them we can chew well and normally any type of food, recovering the masticatory function; they also improve the aesthetics of our smile, making us feel confident, we do not need to damage other teeth, as when we put bridges, in case of complete dentures there are no problems of apatation, or movement, or need to remove it at night. Another of the great advantages they offer is that they prevent bone loss or severe resorption of the jaws as a result of the absence of the tooth.
See Which is better a prosthesis or a dental implant?
These reasons have made implant dentistry one of the fastest growing dental disciplines in recent years. dental disciplines that have grown the most in recent years. According to a publication by the Council of Dentists, Spain is one of the countries where most implants are placed, between 1.200,000 to 1,400,000 million dental implants per year by 2020. Two out of every ten people between the ages of 25 to 79 years of age have a dental implant in place, according to the study “Prevalence and risk factors of peri-implant diseases in Spain”, developed by the Spanish Society of Periodontology (SEPA), attached to the General Council of Dentists.
How dental implants work
A dental implant consists of a screw usually made of titanium, a material that is highly biocompatible with the human body, a material that is highly biocompatible with the human body, which is inserted into the jawbone and integrated into it through a process of “osseointegration” , mimicking the function of a natural tooth root. osseointegration” process , mimicking the function of a natural tooth root. Once its integration is complete, a prosthesis or crown is a prosthesis or crown is placed on it , restoring the appearance and function of the natural teeth . the appearance and function of the natural teeth.
This same procedure can be performed in multiple multiple bridges over implants (several crowns joined together) supported by several implants or even to replace complete arches by placing complete arches by placing a few implants.
The process of placing an implant requires some time, because once the implant is placed in the jaw, it is necessary to wait weeks or some months for the osseointegration to be completed. That is, for the screw to be completely fixed to the bone.
See What is Osseointegration. The basis of a dental implant
The number of weeks to wait is variable, can vary from 6 to 8 weeks in the most favorable cases to 6 months for more complex to 6 months for more complex situations in which we find very soft bones or large atrophies very soft bones or large atrophies that require bone augmentation treatments bone augmentation prior or simultaneous to implant placement.
However, in some cases, complications may occur that lead to movement or loss of the implant. Next, we will explain the main causes we will explain the main causes why a dental implant can fall out and how to prevent implants can fall out and how to prevent these problems.
Why do dental implants fall out ?
The rejection rate of dental implants is between 3 and 5%. This is the first possible case of dental implant failure, the rejection of the bone to the implant material. Although with today ‘ s titanium dental implants we repeat that this is very unlikely as this material is extremely hypoallergenic and does not generate reactions. this is very unlikely since this material is extremely hypoallergenic and does not generate reactions.
Even so, this can happen. It is rare, but when the bone rejects the implants it usually does so within 3 to 6 months in most cases. within 3 to 6 months in most cases.
See Rejection of dental implants. What it is and How to avoid it
Common causes of dental implant failure
1. Infection or peri-implantitis. One of the most frequent causes of implant loss is periimplantitis, an infection that affects the tissue surrounding the implant. This condition may be due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar, similar to those that cause periodontitis in natural teeth. If left untreated, the infection can deteriorate the bone supporting the implant, which can eventually lead to implant failure.
See How to properly clean fixed and removable dental prostheses
Prevention:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, is essential to prevent the buildup of bacteria.
- Periodic check-ups with the dentist to monitor the health of the implant and surrounding tissue. health of the implant and the surrounding tissue.
2. Lack of integration with the bone. For a dental implant to be successful it is crucial that it integrates properly with the jawbone through osseointegration. If the implant does not attach well to the bone due to poor bone quality or inadequate poor bone quality or improper placement, may be unable to withstand masticatory loads and, over time, move or fall out.
The implants with the time can also suffer loss of the bone that supports them, affecting their health and stability. bone that supports them , affecting the health and stability of the implants. This is frequent in patients with untreated pyorrhea, who do not maintain proper hygiene habits, do not attend check-up and maintenance visits or are smokers.
Prevention:
- Before placing the implant, the dentist must perform an exhaustive study of the quality and quantity of available bone.
- If the patient has insufficient bone density, it may be necessary to perform a bonegraft before proceeding with implantation.
3. Trauma or overload of the implant. A strong blow or excessive pressure on the implant can damage both the implant itself and the surrounding tissues . damage both the implant itself and the surrounding tissues. This is of particular concern during the first months after placement, when the implant is still in the process of osseointegration. In addition, bruxism bruxism (clenching or grinding of the teeth) can also generate a constant overload on the implant, affecting its stability.
Prevention:
- Avoid shocks or traumas to the implant area, especially during the postoperative phase.
- For patients with bruxism, it is advisable to use an unloading splint to protect the implant during the night.
4. Occlusion problems or bad bite. An inadequatedistribution of masticatory forces can put additional stress on the implant. can exert additional stress on the implant. If the bite is not well balanced, the implant may bear more load than it should, which in the long term may compromise its stability and cause it to shift or fall.
Prevention:
- The dentist must make sure that the prosthesis on the implant is correctly aligned with the rest of the teeth to avoid bite problems. aligned with the rest of the teeth to avoid bite problems.
- Readjustment of the prosthesis or bite may be necessary if the patient feels any discomfort .
5. Lack of bone or insufficient bone quality. Insufficient or poor quality bone tissue may be another reason why a dental implant does not stay in place . reason why a dental implant may not stay in place. Lack of bone can occur due to bone resorption bone resorption after tooth loss, periodontaldiseases, or simply as a consequence of aging.
Prevention:
- In these cases, treatments such as boneregeneration or grafting can be performed to improve the quantity and quality of the improve the quantity and quality of available bone before implant placement.
6. Poor blood supply: When the jaw bone is very dense , it tends to have small blood vessels. the blood vessels are usually small, which translates into a very poor blood supply, causing the healing of the implant to delay and eventually fail. At first, the results are misleading, even up to three months after the operation. However, the implant never fused with the bone.
It is frequent that implants placed in the anterior area of the jaw have poor blood irrigation. Elderly patients and especially smokersalso have a worse risk.
Prevention:
- smoking is one of the factors that have the greatest impact on the success of implants, as it reduces blood flow to the tissues, slowing down the healing process.
7. Systemically compromisedpatients. Some systemic conditions may interfere with the healing process and implant integration. Diseases such as poorly controlled diabetes osteoporosis or prolonged use of certain medications (such as bisphosphonates) can adversely affect the may adversely affect the bone ‘s ability to accept the implant.
Prevention:
- Keep systemic diseases under control and consult your dentist about any medications you are taking. about any medication you are taking.
Other factors contributing to the movement of dental implants
If your dental implant moves, we recommend that you go quickly to your implantologist to identify the causes and identify the causes and determine what is the best solution. These are some of the reasons why a dental implant may move:
- Implantquality. If the implant that has been placed is not of optimal quality, instability of the implant may occur. quality , instability of the implant may occur. The quality of the implant components can determine the success of the dental implant. Therefore, always choose a dental clinic with experience in dental implants, which also uses highly reliable materials.
- Errors in the installation process. The screws are not correctly fixed, which makes the prosthesis more unstable and causes it to move. The correct planning and the experience of the implantologist are very important.
- Dental trauma. It can cause the displacement of the implant so it is necessary to check the state of the dental the state of the dental prosthesis to solve the problem as soon as possible.
What to do if a dental implant falls out?
If a dental implant moves or falls out, the first thing to do is to see a dentist to evaluate the situation. The possibility of reinserting a fallen dental implant depends on several factors, including the reason for the fall, the time that has passed since the fall and the health of the surrounding tissues.
Depending on the cause, your dentist may proceed to:
- Treatment of the infection: If the cause is an infection such as peri-implantitis, treatment may include deep cleaning, antibiotic therapy or, in more severe cases, surgery to regenerate lost bone.
- Correction of occlusion: If the problem is a chewing overload or bite problem, the dentist can adjust the prosthesis or the position of the implant.
- Implantreplacement: In many cases, the implant can be replaced with a new one, although it is essential to resolve any previous problems before proceeding with the new implant. For example, if there was a lack of bone, it may be necessary to perform a graft before placing the new implant.
Tips to prevent dental implants from falling out
-
- Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth daily to prevent plaque buildup.
- Follow the postoperative recommendations: After implant placement, follow the dentist ‘s instructions during the postoperative period, avoiding hard foods and maintaining a soft diet.
- Avoid harmful habits: Do not use your teeth or the implant to open objects and, if you smoke, consider quitting to improve the success of the treatment.
- Schedule regular checkups: Regular visits to the dentist are key to checking the condition of and prevent possible complications.
As you can see, dental implants are an excellent solution for replacing teeth, but they also require care and attention. With good hygiene, periodic check-ups and avoiding harmful habits, can prolong the life of the implant and maintain a healthy smile for many years. maintain a healthy smile for many years.
Es poco habitual, que un implante dental se mueva o se caiga, pero puede ocurrir. Como hemos visto más arriba hay diversos motivos que pueden hacer caer un implantes dental después de unos cuantos meses o años de haberlo colocado. Si notas cualquier movimiento o problema con alguno de tus implantes, acude rápido a tu dentista, posiblemente tiene una causa que puede solucionarse de forma satisfactoria.
Si tienes cualquier duda sobre implantes dentales o notas que tus implantes se mueven, puedes solicitar un visita en nuestra clínica dental en Barcelona para que valoremos tu caso y veamos la solución más idónea para solucionarlo de forma rápida y duradera.
You can also read:
Dental implants price. How much does a dental implant cost in 2024?
17 Frequently Asked Questions about dental implants answered by an implantologist
What to do if an implant moves
Side effects of dental implants. A complete and updated guide
When can’t a dental implant be placed?
