Factors Affecting Dental Implant Success Rates

Dental implants have an impressive success rate of 97%, with most patients enjoying their implants and newly restored teeth for decades. However, as with any surgery, dental implants sometimes fail. Several factors might contribute to the failure of dental implants, which results in the body rejecting or destabilizing the implant. Knowing these factors and avoiding them will increase the odds that you will be one of the many patients whose dental implants are a success.

Health Issues

Patients in good overall health have a much higher rate of implant success. The link between overall health and dental health is clear. If you have any chronic illness, it will affect your body’s attempt to osseointegrate the implants and fight off any infection. If you have diabetes, AIDS, HIV, advanced periodontal disease, or other health problems that affect the immune system, you are more likely to have problems with implants. Individuals with osteoporosis often end up with implant failure because their jawbones are not strong enough to support the implants. While bone grafting can help for some, it depends on how advanced the osteoporosis is. It is crucial to get these health issues eliminated or under control before considering dental implants.

Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking in any amount and excessive alcohol consumption can both inhibit your body’s healing properties, delaying or stopping the osseointegration of dental implants with the jawbone. Smoking is one of the most common culprits when implants are rejected due to infection or chronic inflammation. We recommend quitting smoking as soon as you begin considering dental implants, or at least six months if possible.

Excessive alcohol consumption also slows healing and interferes with osseointegration. If you drink alcohol, limit it to a single cocktail each day, or limit yourself to only a few drinks on social occasions.

Infection

Dental implants usually heal successfully and are fully integrated with the jawbone before the prosthetic teeth are attached. In rare cases, an infection may develop around the implant and flourish in the jawbone and soft tissues, preventing or delaying fusion. In other cases, implants may fuse successfully and have crowns or a dental prosthetic attached but develop an infection years later that leads to the implant’s loosening.

Infection around an implant can be dangerous because it affects the gums and jawbone and can spread to adjacent teeth. Over time, the infection can destroy the jawbone and spread to other areas of the body through the bloodstream. Depending on the severity of the infection, we may be able to treat it without removing the implant, or we may have to remove the implants to ensure we can reach, treat, and eliminate all infection pockets. Antibiotics, debridement, and surgical intervention are all possible treatments.

The Surgeon’s Experience

Improper placement of dental implants can lead to rejection. While many dentists occasionally place implants, most don’t perform this complex surgery regularly. Dr. Fan and Dr. Li, as experienced oral surgeons, have placed dental implants for years. They perform this procedure daily and have perfected and improved their technique. They attend seminars, conferences, and classes to ensure they offer every patient the finest dental implant experience possible, including safe, effective healing and lasting implant success.

To learn more about dental implants and how we can ensure their success, please contact us at Flushing NY Office Phone Number 347-943-1960. We are happy to schedule a consultation with Dr. Li or Dr. Fan.