Dental Implant Problem Symptoms | SHL

What are the most common symptoms of dental implant problems?

Should I make an appointment with my implant dentist if my implant makes me uncomfortable?

We are ready to answer these and other questions so that you know what to do if something is wrong with your implant.

The most common symptoms of dental implant problems

The decision for an implant must be carefully considered. After all, our teeth are very sensitive and visible to the whole world. So of course we want them to look good. But is getting dental implants a good idea and anything should you be worried about?

Ultimately, dental implants have a high success rate. However, this does not mean that they are infallible. Some people may experience dental implant failure shortly after the procedure, while others may have problems months and even years later.

However, the good news is that if you deal with the problem right away, there is nothing to worry about.

Here are the most common symptoms of dental implant problems:

Severe pain in the area of the implant
Discomfort when chewing food
Recession of the gums in the area of the implant
Swelling of the gums
Allergic reaction

Severe pain in the area of the implant

Remember, it is perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable and even in pain right after the procedure. Once the anesthesia wears off, you will feel sore throughout the healing process. However, there is a difference from pain caused by dental implant failure.

This is how you can tell the difference.

This is because the pain you feel during the healing process will not be intense and should only last for a few days.

In fact, your dentist will most likely prescribe some pain relievers to relieve the pain.

On the other hand, if you are dealing with dental implant failure, you will feel a throbbing, excruciating pain even weeks after the procedure. Unfortunately, you cannot treat this type of pain with pain relievers.

In this case, it is best to call your dentist right away and explain what is going on.

Discomfort when chewing food

The most important thing to remember is that dental implants are designed to look and feel like normal teeth. This means you should be able to chew normally without feeling any pain.

Of course, if you feel slightly unwell immediately after the procedure, this is nothing to worry about. However, if this discomfort does not go away within a few days, dental implant failure is most likely occurring.

If you feel a sharp, pinching pain while chewing, make an appointment with your dentist.

Recession of the gums in the area of the implant

The first sign of gum recession is inflammation around your implant. The second sign is an elongated implant crown (we mean abnormally elongated).

If your implant is not properly positioned, there is a good chance that you will experience this symptom of implant failure. That is why it is important to have an experienced dentist work on your dental implant.

Swelling of the gums

If your gums swell a little right after the procedure, don't panic. This is completely normal. However, if the swelling doesn't go away within a few days, this is cause for concern. Even more so when your gums become inflamed.

Extremely red, swollen gums indicate that you may be dealing with an infection. If left untreated, this infection can spread to your entire mouth and even your bloodstream.

Remember that the longer you wait, the more difficult the treatment will be. If the swelling and redness persist, call your dentist right away.

Allergic reaction

Not many people know this, but dental implants can cause allergic reactions (in some people). When you consider that they are made from a titanium alloy, that's perfectly understandable. But how do you know if you are having an allergic reaction?

The most common reactions are swelling of the gums, loss of taste and a persistent tingling sensation in the area of your implant.

If you experience any of these symptoms, most likely your body will reject the dental implant and it will need to be removed.

Causes of Dental Implant Problems

In some cases, you have no control over what happens to your dental implant. For example, if you are allergic to the titanium alloy or if your dentist does not insert your implant correctly.

However, there are many other reasons why you may experience dental implant failure:

Bad dental hygiene
Smoke
Inflammation of the gums

Bad dental hygiene

As mentioned earlier, dental implants look and feel like normal teeth. They should be treated as such. Unfortunately, because they are not real teeth, some people tend to believe that they don't need to brush their implants.

Once you've decided on dental implants, make a commitment to taking care of them too. Regular brushing and flossing are a must if your implants are to last as long as possible.

Smoke

If you are an active smoker, you need to be aware that your habit is likely to result in dental implant failure. Smoking restricts the blood flow to your gums, which in turn slows down the healing process.

We know how difficult it is to quit smoking completely, but we recommend the following:

Don't smoke a week before a dental implant
Do not smoke for two months after the procedure

If you are an avid smoker you may have trouble sticking to our recommendation. Be aware, however, that the health of your implant is at stake.

Inflammation of the gums

If you have gum disease, you cannot get a dental implant at all. However, an inexperienced dentist may decide to take the risk and give you your implant without considering the consequences.

When dealing with gum disease, the only way to make sure your implant is successful is to treat the infection first.

The bottom line

Overall, dental implants really have a high success rate, but of course there are some cases where something can go wrong. Recognizing symptoms of a dental implant problem, however, is critical to solving a dental-related problem.

Also, be sure to undergo treatment for any tooth or gum problems prior to the implantation. It is equally important to choose an experienced dentist. With your implant in place, make sure that you continue to practice good oral hygiene.

About the author:

Maria S. Johnson, DDS, is an Associate Professor in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. She teaches in both the PhD in Dentistry and the Advanced Education General Dentistry Residency.