Getting dental implants in Corpus Christi is not a procedure you go about casually. It is a very serious dental procedure that requires precision in a part of the body that is quite delicate. Dental implant surgery should always be completed by a prosthodontist, not just a general dentist. Because so many issues can arise during this procedure, having a specialist who spent years focusing on dental implants is imperative.
While dental implants in Corpus Christi are not rare, and the success rate is very high; there are times when things go wrong depending on variables that aren’t expected—so it’s easy to see why so many people get anxious about this common procedure. Still, even with that reality, when dental implant surgery is performed by an experienced prosthodontist most dental implant procedures are a smooth success.
The question that often is asked by patients seeking dental implants from a dentist in Corpus Christi is, “How do I know if my dental implant is failing?” If you have caught yourself worrying about this very question you aren’t alone. In fact, it is one of the top 5 questions asked by all patients regarding dental implants. Implant failure can be very painful if not treated within a quick timeframe and it can spur other dental problems as well.
If you think your implant might be failing it is imperative for you to see a dentist in Corpus Christi as soon as possible, but you should at least know some of the most common signs of dental implant failure so you can catch it early on.
Top 4 Signs Of Dental Implant Failure
Radiating Pain and Tooth Discomfort
While some pain is normal to a certain degree during the recovery process of a dental implant procedure, some pain can be a sign of pending failure as well. A good way to know the difference between normal intermittent recovery pain and pain due to failure is to notice when the pain is occurring. If the pain is immediately after the implant is seated and lasts for several days—this is perfectly normal. If however, the pain begins to occur more than a few days past the procedure or long after; this is most often a sure sign of the implant failing. It is best to get with your dentist that performed the procedure ASAP as the sooner you can address the problem the better—and even if it turns out to just be residual pain; it’s better to err on the side of caution just in case.
Redness Or Swelling Of The Gums
You will definitely have some minor inflammation and redness after getting dental implants but it should subside within a couple of days or so. If the inflammation or swelling persists beyond that and worsens in nature, then you should definitely be concerned and get into your dentist right away. When gums get inflamed and/or red with swollen areas; it is a sign of an infection. If that infection goes untreated it not only can spread to other areas of the mouth; but also get into your bloodstream which can escalate quickly into a very dangerous condition. Your dentist will be able to knock this infection out with a round of antibiotics and anti-bacterial mouth rinse to stave off further infection.
Implants That Feel Loose
If your implant has been properly anchored into the jawbone it will feel no different than your regular teeth. As we have said before, no one else will know you have dental implants unless you tell them. That is how much like regular teeth these implants are; so, if your implant feels like something foreign in your mouth or if it wiggles a bit; then you need to be in a dentist chair STAT. This is one of the easiest ways to know that your implant is in a state of failure because it can be easily verified. Loose implants can do more damage to your mouth than the problem that caused the need for implants in the first place. Make sure you see your dentist right away to have the implant re-anchored or you might sustain irreparable damage to your jawbone.
Trouble Biting Or Chewing
If the mere act of biting or chewing food or substances gives you significant pain; this might be a sign of pending failure also. Remember, implants should not feel different from teeth at any time and if your tooth was hurting in the same situation—you’d go to the dentist, right? The same protocol goes for feeling pain when biting or chewing with implants as well. Get in your dentist’s office ASAP and get to the root of the problem to avoid compounding issues.
You Can Lessen Your Chance Of Implants Failing
Infection and inflammation are normally the main causes of implant failure versus more intricate issues. It is very important that you maintain a strict, if not overly strict oral hygiene routine during the recovery process and keep a normal, good hygiene regimen thereafter. This is the number one way to mitigate your risk of implant failure.
Other factors such as tobacco use, diabetes, and other conditions that reduce your body’s ability to fight infections will have a huge impact on your risk of infection. Make sure you keep your health in check and cease use of all tobacco products, at least for the duration of recovery. Naturally, completely removing tobacco use from your lifestyle will greatly improve your overall health as well.
The most important thing you can do to decrease your odds of failure is to make the right choice for a dentist in Corpus Christi before you even consider implants. At Vela Dental Centers we have the professional specialists on staff that have performed multitudes of successful dental implant procedures. When you need the best in dental care you call Vela Dental centers. With two convenient locations to serve you—we are the first step to a beautiful smile.
Contact us today for a no-risk consultation!