Understanding Dental Implant Osseointegration Failure Issues
Most dental implants are successful and can remain in the mouth. Specifically, one study shows a success rate that is well over 98%. While this is true, you may experience a complication after implant surgery. One such complication is failed osseointegration. Keep reading to learn what osseointegration is and why it may fail.
What Is Dental Implant Osseointegration?
Osseointegration is the process of new bone formation around the implant root where new bone cells form and attach themselves to the implant device. These cells help to integrate the implant device into the bone so the implant and jaw are strongly attached to one another. Osseointegration is a natural process that starts to progress as soon as the dental implant is secured in the jaw. Dental implant roots are made to encourage bone formation. Specifically, they are made from a metal called titanium that is accepted by the body. This titanium is textured or etched as well to create small divots or spaces where bone cells can congregate around the implant root.
Bone cells develop slowly over time and build around the implant root over the weeks and months after the implant surgery. Your body will do this on its own and your dental professional will monitor progress with x-rays and other tests.
What Is Failed Osseointegration?
Failed osseointegration, like the name suggests, is the failure of the dental implant to integrate with the surrounding bone tissue. This basically means that the implant root has not attached to the jaw bone like it should. Osseointegration failure can happen for a variety of reasons. One of the more common reasons is the infection of the implant site. Infections stop new bone cells from forming and this means that the jaw does not have the opportunity to integrate with the implant root.
Failure is also likely to occur if the implant is overloaded during the healing process. This means that you bite down hard on the implant and cause the new bone cells to break free from the implant root. The formation of gingivitis, complications from diabetes, and smoking habits can cause osseointegration difficulties as well. Also, a poor diet can contribute to poor or weak bone formation.
If you are concerned about osseointegration, your dentist can provide you with information on the things that you should and should not do to encourage bone healing around the implant device. If you follow your doctor's suggestions, then osseointegration should progress without much difficulty. A dentist like Carpenter Dental can help.
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