Reduce the Risk of Implant Failure

By Jana M. Pierce, RDH, BS, JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AFAAOM

Implants have become an accepted treatment to replace lost teeth, help increase surface area for chewing, maintain alveolar bone, and restore up to 100% of normal occlusal function. ¹ In an ideal world, this occlusal function and the health of the surrounding hard and soft tissue would remain stable. The reality, however, is that some implants fail. As the cost for patients in both time and expense is significant, dental professionals need to be well versed in strategies that support implant health and in recognizing potential problems. Implant failure is caused by either biomechanical or biological factors.² Biomechanical failures occur due to functional overload of the implant, while biological failures are caused by increases in biofilm accumulation, inflammation, infection, extruded cement, and surgical complications.² Implant failure is most frequently caused by the biological factor peri-implantitis, which is a devastating inflammatory cycle that causes increased pocket formation, gingival edema and erythema, and destruction of supporting bone.³ Implants are most vulnerable to peri-implantitis and potential failure during the initial 12 months post-placement.^2,4 Peri-implantitis affects 5% to 9% of all implants placed.^2,4

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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