7 Common Dental Implant Problems (and What to Do About It!)

Jersey City Dental Spa • Sep 14, 2020

If you've just transformed your smile with dental implants, then you need to learn about these 7 common dental implant problems and what to do about it.

Don't let the title of this article scare you. The truth is that dental implant problems are rare. And they almost never happen if the procedure is done correctly.

That's why we wrote this article. We want you to know the truth about post dental implants problems: what causes them, what to do about them, and the common dental implant infection signs. Most of all, we want you to know why you won't experience any of these problems when you receive care from Jersey City Dental Spa.

In any case, here are 7 common dental implant problems and what to do about them. Keep reading to learn all about them.

1. The Surgery Was Done Wrong

Dental implants have a very high success rate. So, in most cases, implant failure is the result of the procedure being done wrong.

Often, the problem is that the patient is ineligible for the procedure in the first place, due to one of the other reasons on this list. If the procedure is performed anyway, the implant will not be successful.

Alternatively, a mistake the dentist makes during the procedure could prevent the implant from properly fusing to the jawbone. The implant will be loose or get infected and eventually fall out.

2. There Isn't Enough Bone

The most important factor of a successful dental implant is osseointegration. This is the process of the dental implant post fusing with the patient's jawbone.

If the patient's jawbone is eroded due to missing teeth, or if they otherwise have low bone density, the implant is more likely to fail. There just isn't enough bone for the implant to fuse with.

However, it could be possible to make up for this lack of bone. That is, the dentist can attach a bone graft to the jawbone prior to the procedure.

3. Poor Healing

Certain factors lower your body's ability to heal. When this happens, the area around your implant might not heal properly or quickly enough to make the implant permanent.

These factors can be lifestyle choices, including heavy smoking or drinking. Or they could be medical conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or cancer.

Make sure your dentist is aware of such things before they perform the procedure. Otherwise, the implant may fail.

4. Failure to Follow Your Dentist's Instructions

Be sure to follow your dentist's instructions after the surgery. Many implants fail simply because the patient did not obey their prescribed dietary/care instructions.

5. Movement of the Dental Implants

If the implant gets moved around too much before osseointegration, the integration won't take place. Eventually, the implant will start to feel loose and ultimately fall out. It might also get infected before it comes out.

6. The Body Rejects the Implants

There are some cases where the patient's body tries to reject the implant. This could be an allergic reaction to one or more of the materials the implant is composed of. In this case, it's likely that the dentist can replace the implant with one made from other materials.

Sometimes, though, the patient's body won't accept any implant at all. Some bodies are simply resistant to any and all foreign materials.

In this unfortunate event, the patient will have to choose a different procedure, such as veneers. The good news is, the dentist may credit at least some of the implant cost toward this other procedure.

7. Dental Implant Infection

Infections are an extremely common complication of any surgery. This happens when dirt, bacteria, or other contaminants enter the wound during or after surgery. And there are so many bacteria in and on the human body that there's no way to eliminate them all before, during, or after the operation.

Your mouth itself is thriving with more than 700 different types of bacteria. Despite your dentist's best efforts, infection is always possible. This is one of the reasons it's so important to follow your dentists instructions on what to do after your surgery.

Dental Implant Infection Signs

Here are some signs that you may have a dental implant infection:


  • Constant or frequent fever with no other cold symptoms
  • A bad taste in the mouth/bad breath that won't go away
  • You have problems chewing food
  • Pain and/or discomfort
  • Your gums are swollen, red, or receding
  • There's pus or blood near the implant area
  • Your implant feels loose


It doesn't take long for an oral infection to get worse. If you don't act quickly enough, the infection will prevent your implant from fusing to your jawbone and cause it to fail completely.


It's important to get to the dentist (any dentist) immediately. Don't delay if your regular dentist has no open appointments. Get help from a different dentist or even the emergency room if necessary.

What to Do About Dental Implant Problems

If you experience any of these problems, see your dentist right away. They might be able to keep the implant from failing as long as they address the problem in time.



Also, if your implant does fail, talk to the dentist who performed the procedure about getting a refund. In most cases, the performing dentist will agree to credit the cost toward a different procedure or refund you in full.


In the event that they refuse to refund you, you still have options. Have other dentists take a look at the failed implant to see what they think.


If they think the original dentist is at fault for the implant failure, you may be entitled to legal recourse. In this case, talk to a lawyer to see if you have grounds for a settlement.

Jersey City Dental Spa: Dental Implants Done Right

Don't let these dental implant problems happen to you. Get your dental implants done right the first time with Jersey City Dental Spa. Contact us here to set up your consultation.



Lastly, keep this guide for reference in case you experience any dental implant infection signs.

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