What are the Causes that Lead to Side Effects and Complications of Dental Implants

In most cases and in most cases, dental implants do not have side effects and complications, but on the contrary, the procedure is successful and the treatment lasts a lifetime. 98% of implants are placed successfully and safely, as a result of dental implants failing at a rate of less than 5%. However, in some cases, the application of dental implants presents complications or side effects, which are listed below.

There are several factors that affect the success of surgical placement of dental implants. Initially, it is necessary for the patient to be mindful and follow the instructions of the dental surgeon closely to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly and heals promptly. It must be understood that a share of responsibility for any complications and side effects belongs to the patient, while the Dental Surgeon has an equal share of responsibility in terms of proper treatment planning and proper execution of the surgical placement.

Regardless, the risk of the invasive procedure is low. Implants usually do not show signs of pain, so there may be complications or side effects that the patient is unaware of. This is similar to how a patient with natural teeth may not be aware of issues with their teeth. Thus, it is necessary to have regular check-ups by the Oral Surgeon to ensure that everything is fine.

The factors that lead to complications and side effects in dental implant procedures are as follows:

  • Choosing the Right Dental Surgeon

Perhaps the most basic step and the most important factor in ensuring the success of dental implant surgery is the selection of the right Dental Surgeon, who will be highly trained and fully qualified, as well as experienced to provide the best possible outcome with maximum safety. The specialty of a Dental Surgeon is more specialized than that of a dentist, and it’s suited to complex and demanding procedures and treatments.

Additionally, the patient should consider both the years of experience of the dental surgeon who will be assigned to them and their success rates, as a lack of experience can lead to failure of the surgery and treatment process. The detailed planning of the procedure as well as the analysis of all potential and possible complications by the Maxillofacial Surgeon plays a key role in the successful outcome of the procedure. A Maxillofacial Surgeon, with many years of experience, can manage complex techniques in order to provide an excellent and flawless final result. Particularly when it comes to difficult cases, the experience of the Maxillofacial Surgeon is considered essential, as is his ability to carry out a specialized and personalized treatment depending on the patient’s needs.

  • Care of the patient’s oral hygiene

Constant care and proper cleaning of the teeth is particularly important, especially after surgical placement of dental implants. The more the patient takes care of their new teeth, the more likely the surgery will be successful and complications will not occur down the road. Otherwise, he may develop peri-implantitis (inflammation of the tissues around the implant accompanied by bone loss), which is treated with laser. Proper cleaning and regular visits to our clinic are considered key elements for a long-term final result.

In any case, the patient must follow the doctor’s instructions strictly, as daily habits influence the result. The patient must follow dietary restrictions when they exist, take care of their mouth in a proper manner, stop smoking for a period of time as well as take any medications that have been recommended. By following the instructions of the Oral Surgeon and the experienced medical team, the chances of complications are greatly reduced.

  • Various Medical Conditions

There are certain conditions that may lead to side effects or complications or even total failure of dental implant surgery. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gum disease, advanced osteoporosis and certain autoimmune diseases are some such diseases and they act as an inhibitor to healing and osseointegration. Patients who have recently experienced a serious heart attack or have undergone chemotherapy treatments may again face the issue of slowing down the healing of the mouth. The same applies to patients who are smokers, who consume alcohol, or who are taking medication for other conditions.

  • Smoking

Smoking significantly affects the oral cavity negatively, as smoke enters through it. Smoking has been shown to slow down the healing process, a process that is necessary after the surgical placement of the implant. This is because smoking significantly reduces blood flow to the gums and in some cases, this condition leads to failure of the operation. Nowadays, there are many studies proving that smokers have higher failure rates in implant procedures.

Of course, this does not mean that a patient who smokes is prohibited from having dental implant surgery. It is simply best to stop smoking for a week before the surgery and for the first two months afterwards. In this way, the chances of success of dental implant treatment will be significantly increased.

  • Diseases occurring in the Gums and Deficient Jawbone

An evaluation of gum health is a necessary step that is mandatory before surgery. Through this procedure, the oral surgeon can determine with certainty whether a disease such as periodontitis or gingivitis is present. In case there is a gum disease, then it is necessary to treat it completely and then follow the surgical placement of dental implants. This is because the diseases present in the gums may damage the jaw bone or gum bone, which may cause complications.

Another reason that may cause complications or even lead to complete failure of dental implant surgery is that there is not enough bone to properly support the implant. If a long period of time has elapsed between the loss of the natural tooth and the time of the treatment procedure, it is very likely that there is not enough bone to place the dental implant. This is because the jaw atrophies when the roots of the natural tooth are completely absent.

If there is insufficient bone, it is very difficult to carry out a successful dental implant placement, and the experience of the oral surgeon plays a big role. However, even if the bone has atrophied, then special regeneration techniques must be applied, which require special expertise and many years of experience by the medical staff.

Complications of Bisphosphonates in the Case of Bone Loss

Bisphosphonate drugs such as Reclast, Actonel, Bonefos and Fosamax taken for bone building or osteoporosis are used to reduce bone events in patients who have osteoporosis, bone disease or have been receiving treatment for cancer for a long time.

Plus, research proves that Fosamax is a risk for developing a serious bone disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a rare disease that may develop into a fairly serious complication of drug therapy with bisphosphonates and/or denosumab. The medical staff must recognize and diagnose the symptoms and how to treat them, so if the patient is receiving such treatment, it is essential to inform the doctor.

Surgical Intervention: Complications that may Occur

Naturally, there are instances when complications do occur after the procedure of dental implant placement, but these cases are rare. Usually, complications occur within three or four months after the surgical placement of the implants, or in even rarer cases, after many years.

The most likely side effect that occurs is pain and/or discomfort after the surgery, which is treated with painkillers. There may be swelling in the oral cavity and specifically at the site where the implants were placed. A more serious complication is implant mobility, i.e. the dental implant not being stable. This usually occurs after surgery for immediate tooth restoration and makes the process of osseointegration more difficult, since the dental implant should normally be stable for at least a few weeks.

A serious complication is the development of infection at the site where the implant has been placed or poor healing. In both cases, if these complications are noticed immediately, they can be treated appropriately and the other stages can continue normally. In particular, the infection can occur either during the operation or postoperatively. Poor healing and infection occur when the mouth has a great deal of bacteria, which is mainly due to not following the instructions of the Oral Surgeon. However, if the symptoms of swelling, pain and discomfort last for more than four days, then it is necessary for the patient to contact the Oral Surgeon and the clinic.

Even rarer are the cases of complications occurring years after the completion of the surgery. Such complications are usually tissue damage and nerve damage and are due to incorrect placement of the implants by the Oral Surgeon. Signs that warn of these lesions are numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, face or gums.

Overall, rejection of a foreign body by the person’s body is a rare occurrence. Most patients who opt for dental implant treatment have a successful outcome, especially when titanium implants are used which are biocompatible with our body. Of course, the best treatment is prevention, which is why you should definitely contact your Dental Surgeon if you experience persistent fever, increased swelling, gingival inflammation, implant mobility, persistent pain or discomfort, difficulty chewing, pus or bleeding gums, bad taste and odor, loosening or mobility of the prosthetic work, gingival inflammation.

As you can see, the most important thing in the whole process is choosing the right Maxillofacial Surgeon who has the ability to not only guide the patient properly, but also to successfully deal with any complications after the procedure. Our clinic works with top scientists who have years of experience in even the most complex cases and guarantee a definitive and safe result. Get your smile back and see your life improve starting today.