 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
What does ‘dental implant rejection’ mean?
While the dental implant procedure has been tremendously successful for the majority of implant patients, there have been some instances of implant failure or implant ‘rejection’. There are several possible reasons why implant rejection would occur—discussing each of these possibilities with your dentist prior to treatment will ensure that you are taking every precaution necessary to combat implant failure.
When people hear the word ‘rejection’, they commonly associated it with conditions that can occur during a vital surgery—such as organ transplant. Dental implants fall into an entirely different category however because tissue matching and blood typing aren’t associated with implant placement. Implants are comprised of titanium alloy—a material that is completely compatible with human bone. Implant failure is rarely due to the implant itself. Instead there are outside factors that most often lead to implant ‘rejection’.
Reasons for Implant Rejection:
Mechanical Factors: Implant failure is indirectly related when there are mechanical factors involved. Broken or fractured implant screws are sometimes placed in patients. If left untreated, these can lead to problems down the line. If the implant device is damaged it needs to be removed. The implant site can then be re-prepared and a new implant can be placed.
Practitioner Proficiency: One of the main reasons why implants fail is due to the professional that placed them. When undergoing dental implantation, be sure you are being treated by a certified implant dentist who has experience placing implants.
Infection: Infection is one of the most common reasons why implants are ‘rejected’. Once implants are placed, they go through a healing period. During this time patients must take precautions when using their implants. If infection takes root, it can compromise the healing process of the implant—causing it to fail.
Preventative Maintenance: Infection is one of the main causes of implant failure—and is most often the cause of lack of preventative maintenance. After implant placement, your dentist will give you after care instructions as well as an outline for follow-up visits. Sticking to your treatment regiment will minimize the risk of developing infection, thereby increasing your chance for long-term success.
Discuss all the risks of implant rejection with your dentist prior to treatment. Ideal candidates that follow all pre-and post-treatment suggestions will in all likelihood experience long-term implant success.