Resolving implant problems

Helping to manage issues with existing implants

At Stradbrook Implants, our considerable knowledge and expertise in implants means that we are usually able to solve any issues with your implant and enable you to keep it.

In fact, a large proportion of the work we carry out involves solving implant problems for patients who are referred to us by other dentists. We are also regularly called upon by implant companies to help with trouble-shooting.

Although dental implants are proven to be the most effective way of replacing missing teeth, there are problems that can occur with them. These can include injury, nerve damage, looseness of the implant and sinus problems. Another potential problem is peri-implantitis, where the bone and soft tissue around the implant can become inflamed and often infected. Without treatment this can lead to bone loss and eventually loss of the implant.

There are four main reasons why people may suffer problems with their implants.

These are:

• Insufficient planning. Sometimes practitioners are unrealistic about what they can achieve. They treat a patient with a particular outcome in mind, but don't take into account all the relevant clinical factors. Experienced specialists are better able to visualise the end result, and make appropriate plans.
• Poorly executed plans. Without detailed planning, taking into account positioning of bone, neighbouring tooth roots, nerves, etc, implants can end up incorrectly placed.
• Insufficient training. To successfully carry out implant treatment, you need to have a significant amount of additional training, including mentoring from other implant experts.
• Poor quality implants. Implants should be extremely long-lasting, if not permanent. But to achieve this, they need to be of a high quality, supplied by a well-established company, as well as properly planned, placed and maintained. Cheaper implants could lead to earlier failure, or future incompatibility with the crowns, bridges or dentures that the implants support.