Implant Problems
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Even though dental implants have a success rate approaching 98%, you may still encounter implant problems.
Even though dental implants have a success rate approaching 98%, you may still encounter implant problems. An implant problem could be the result of the initial healing period and infections, or your use period and the implant becoming loose, or implant problems with the structural components.
There are two main parts to a dental implant. First, there is the implant itself, which is a titanium post that is surgically placed in the jawbone where a tooth root used to be. Second, there is the restoration that is attached to the implant, which is usually a single dental crown, a bridge or denture. Either of these two parts might need to be repaired for various reasons.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will help you with an evaluation when it comes to an implant problem. We offer many important periodontal and dental implant services. Our careful and thoughtful team works seamlessly on an overall goal of providing you with the best quality service for your overall oral health. We will address any dental concerns in a peaceful, calm environment, and approach your dental care as an important partner on your health care team. If you would like to have an evaluation about the potential of an implant problem, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273 to schedule your appointment today.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They are board certified periodontist, which means they have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
Main Causes of Dental Implant Problems
The leading causes of implant problems are as follows:
- Incorrect implant placement – the implant is placed at the wrong angle or in an area where the bone density is inadequate, this being a surgical error.
- Dental cement leakage – too much dental cement was used to attach the crown to the implant causing excess cement to leak out into the gums and irritate the tissues. This leads to infection.
- Poor-fitting crowns – crowns that do not touch the adjacent teeth leaving open spaces that act as food traps where bacteria will develop and causing infection.
- Diabetes – people with diabetes have a weakened immune system which allows bacteria around the dental implant to cause infection much quicker.
- Smoking – there are chemicals that are toxic to living tissue in tobacco smoke that kills bone and gum tissue and restricts your blood flow. The immune response is also impaired in tissues where the smoke makes direct contact.
Implant Problems During the Initial Healing Period
For an implant to attach and grow properly, it needs to be surrounded by healthy gums and bone. Many factors can affect an implant's ability to stay attached to the bone.
The implant can become loose during the healing process after surgery. When this happens, there is usually no pain or infection. You may have a limited amount of bone to grow around the dental implant. This can happen with implants placed near the molars in the upper jaw, on extraction sites, on sites where there has been a bone graft, in narrow ridges and in the lower front of the jaw, because these areas often have poor quality of jawbone density.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
Implant Problems During Your Use
You may develop implant problems once it is in use after the healing period. If your jawbone cannot handle the forces being applied to it, the implant can become loose. To treat this issue, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will remove your implant and allow the bone to fill in the area. This a surgical procedure that may require bone grafting and sutures, and you will likely be put under local anesthesia. If possible, we will replace the implant once the area has strengthened.
Bone loss can also lead to a loose implant. If you have lost your teeth because of gum disease you are at higher risk for bone loss around the implant.
More severe dental implant problems can arise if the implant becomes infected. Peri-implantitis is a disease that causes loss of the bone supporting the implant and usually requires removal of the implant. In some cases, the implant can be restored.
Structural Implant Problems
An implant has several components: the implant placed into the jawbone, the abutment or extension that connects the post to the prosthesis, which may be a crown, bridge or denture that serves as your tooth replacement. Even though the abutment is made from strong materials it can break, as can the screw that attaches the abutment to the implant body. All the components made of metals or ceramic can wear down and fracture, including the crown. If part of your implant breaks or fractures, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics can assess the problem and determine what treatment is required.
If you grind your teeth, you can damage the crown on your implant. We can help you find a night guard to limit the effects of tooth grinding on that artificial crown.
Diagnosing and Correcting a Problem
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics starts with thorough diagnostics to troubleshoot the problem and determine the best course of treatment. We will first review your dental history and take full digital photos, X-rays and when needed, a 3D CT scan.
We will check for dental cement leakage and will examine the fit of the dental restoration on top of your implant. We may need to look under the gumline, which allows us to assess the state of infection or other complications without the need for surgery.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do it in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to take up technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Customized, Thorough Treatment
Your treatment will depend on the problem and its cause. If the crown is faulty, we can easily place a new crown. If jawbone has been lost, we will perform a bone graft to regenerate the lost bone. If there is infection, we will remove the diseased tissue and clean out the plaque and bacteria to ensure the infection is removed completely.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will always try to save your implant if possible. If the implant cannot be saved, we will be able to remove the implant and properly place a new one in most cases.
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
When you schedule an appointment with our superb team at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, you will be impressed with our degree of professionalism but also that we are a warm and friendly team that has the most advanced dental technology at our disposal in our clinic. The staff is conscientious and thoughtful because we understand exactly how different and unique each patient really is. We methodically plan all your personalized treatments, so it works for your desires and budget. We work passionately to replace value back into your undervalued personal asset, your smile, so every dental procedure we undergo for you is with only your best interests and oral health in mind.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a very calming environment, and we want you to be comfortable with the high level of our abilities and services. Scheduling an appointment for a potential implant problem evaluation is a critical step towards being proactive in your oral health and regaining your healthy smile. To schedule an appointment, call our Indianapolis office, 8801 North Meridian St., Ste 103, Indianapolis, at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office, 9885 E. 116th St, Ste 300, Fishers, at 317-842-2273.