At Hope Dental Professionals in Bentonville, Arkansas, we offer comprehensive dental implant restoration services to help patients regain their confidence and enjoy a healthy, functional smile. Dental implants are a popular solution for replacing missing or damaged teeth, as they provide a long-lasting, natural-looking restoration that can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. While dental implants are highly durable and can last for many years with proper care, they are not immune to failure.

Dental Implants

When you have missing teeth, an alternative solution to dentures, partials or bridges is dental implants. While dentures/partials are removable, dental implants provide permanent new teeth to restore your mouth’s function and appearance. Dental implants tend to offer a successful and lasting solution to the loss of some or all of your teeth.

We work together with dental implant specialist to provide different dental implant solutions depending on your specific needs. Dr. Pate will ensure the lasting integrity of the implant and provide a beautiful and natural restoration. We will conduct a thorough assessment and discuss your options with you during your scheduled appointment.

Ways a Dental Implant Can Fail

While dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for missing teeth, they can fail for a variety of reasons, including:

Infection: Just like natural teeth, dental implants can become infected, leading to inflammation and bone loss around the implant. This can compromise the stability of the implant and eventually lead to implant failure.
Bone Loss: Dental implants rely on healthy bone tissue to support them. If a patient experiences significant bone loss due to gum disease or other factors, the implant may not be able to stay anchored in place.
Mechanical Failure: In rare cases, dental implants may fracture or break due to excessive force, improper placement, or other factors. This can compromise the integrity of the implant and require replacement.
Peri-Implantitis: This is a condition where the soft and hard tissues surrounding the implant become inflamed, leading to bone loss and ultimately implant failure.

Warning Signs of a Failing Dental Implant

If a dental implant is failing, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and potential loss of the implant. Some warning signs that an implant may be failing include:

Pain or Discomfort: If a patient experiences pain or discomfort around the implant, this could be a sign of infection or inflammation.
Mobility: If the implant feels loose or moves around, this could indicate that it is no longer anchored securely in the jawbone.
Swelling or Redness: Swelling or redness around the implant could be a sign of infection.
Gum Recession: If the gums around the implant begin to recede, this could indicate that the implant is not properly integrated with the bone.

The Process of Restoring a Dental Implant

At Hope Dental Professionals, we offer comprehensive dental implant restoration services to help patients address any issues with their implant and restore full function and aesthetics to their smile. The process typically involves:

Diagnosis and Assessment: Our team will perform a thorough examination of the implant and surrounding tissues to determine the extent of any damage or issues.
Treatment Planning: Based on the diagnosis, we will develop a customized treatment plan to address any issues and restore the implant to optimal function.
Implant Restoration: This may involve replacing the crown, abutment, or other components of the implant as needed to ensure proper fit and function.
Follow-Up Care: After the implant restoration is complete, we will provide instructions on how to care for the implant and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor its success.

The Recovery Process

After undergoing dental implant restoration, patients can expect some level of discomfort and swelling for the first few days. Pain medication and ice packs can help alleviate these symptoms. Patients should avoid eating hard or crunchy foods and follow all post-operative instructions provided by our team.

How to Care for Your Dental Implant

To ensure the long-term success of a dental implant restoration, patients should:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to keep the implant and surrounding tissues clean and free of bacteria.
Avoid Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of implant failure and compromise healing after implant restoration. We strongly advise patients to quit smoking before undergoing implant surgery and to avoid smoking after restoration.
Attend Regular Check-Ups: Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help detect any issues with the implant early on and prevent further damage.
Avoid Excessive Force: Patients should avoid biting down on hard objects or using their teeth to open packages, as this can cause damage to the implant and compromise its stability.

Let Us Take Care of Your Dental Implants

At Hope Dental Professionals, we are committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain a healthy, functional smile. While dental implants are a highly effective solution for missing teeth, they can fail for a variety of reasons. It is important to address any warning signs of implant failure as soon as possible to prevent further damage and potential loss of the implant.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of implant failure, or if you have questions about dental implant restoration, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. Our experienced team can provide a thorough evaluation and develop a customized treatment plan to restore your implant to optimal function and aesthetics. You can learn more about us by checking our business page, and make sure to get directions before heading our way.

For more information on dental implants or to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to call us today at (479) 254-8111!