Two of My Five Dental Implants Failed

After five months of struggling, two of my five dental implants failed. After my three-month checkup, my dentist said that two implants did not have enough bone to survive. He recommended removing the implants and waiting a few months before a bone graft procedure. I let my dentist remove the implants, but I have not returned to the office because I need time to think. I know I cannot leave spaces between my teeth too long, but who can I trust? I had no problem seeing a dentist before this episode, but now I am anxious. How do I know whether the implants failed because I didn’t have enough bone volume or if there was another problem? Thank you. Keith from Thousand Oaks, CA

Keith,

Thank your question. We are sorry about your frustrating experience. Skilled implant dentists take a 3-D CT scan before developing a dental implant treatment plan. The 3-D CT scan shows whether you have enough bone volume for implants and require removal.

Did Your Dental Implants Fail Due to Low Bone Volume?

The only way to identify the cause of your dental implant failure is to get a second opinion and a 3-D CT scan. An implant dentist or oral surgeon must complete these steps:

Scan your mouth using 3-D cone beam imaging
Determine whether your dentist placed implants in areas of low bone volume
Explain whether you need bone grafting for new dental implants

Who Can You Trust to Resolve Failed Dental Implants?

Dental implant crown, abutment, and root form — Healthy dental implants integrate with the jawbone

You can trust a dentist with post-graduate training and experience in dental implants. You can also trust a board-certified oral surgeon or periodontist. All the dental professionals we mentioned are trained to successfully plan for and place dental implants.

According to an article in the Journal of Applied Oral Science, a dentist should tailor a treatment plan according to all relevant variables when a dental implant fails.

Your anxiety is understandable. Although you may not have required sedation during past appointments, it can help you relax during treatment. Without treatment, your oral health will decline as missing teeth cause jawbone shrinkage and misalignment.

How to Find a New Implant Dentist

Before selecting a dentist to resolve the failure of your two dental implants, we encourage you to consider the following suggestions:

Look for two or three providers with advanced training.
Schedule consultations.
Take notes and compare their credentials and how they will tailor your treatment plan.

Best wishes for a smooth resolution and recovery.

Dr. Heng Lim, an Owasso, Oklahoma dentist, sponsors this post.

Why Do the Teeth Next to My New Crown Hurt?

One of my bottom left molars was hurting, so my dentist covered it with a crown in early November because she said it could be fractured. The tooth feels fine now, but the two teeth in front of it hurt when I bite down, even on food as soft as rice.

I asked my dentist to adjust the crown because I thought it crowded the two teeth in front of it. She adjusted the crown, but the teeth still hurt. The pain decreases if I put pressure on the teeth with my fingers, but the pain quickly returns. My dentist said she has never had a patient case like mine. I have two other crowns, and I do not have problems with them. I think something is still wrong with my bite. What could be causing my tooth pain? – Thanks. Syl from Greenville, SC

Syl,

Thank you for your question. Your description sounds like your bite is still off, yet we wonder whether your dentist confirmed a tooth fracture with an x-ray or if she is unsure of your tooth’s condition.

Why Do the Teeth Next to a New Crown Hurt?

Diagram of the side of a skull highlighting the temporomandibular join — Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

If teeth next to a new crown hurt, your dentist may need to adjust them to align your bite correctly. Some dentists hesitate to alter your uncrowned teeth. But small shifts in one tooth can affect others, and adjusting adjacent teeth is the only way to align your bite correctly.

A misaligned bite can cause a variety of problems, including:

TMJ disorder
Headaches
Neck pain
Nighttime teeth grinding
Jaw pain

How Do You Know Decay Is Not Causing Your Tooth Pain?

Pain from decay or infection in your teeth will not improve if you push down on them, so decay or infection is not the problem. Either your gums or the crown is causing your symptoms. A poorly placed crown can push your teeth out of alignment and cause pain.

Get a second opinion if your dentist is unable to correct your bite. Another dentist will want to take an x-ray to see whether or not your tooth is fractured beneath the crown. You can look for a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite.

Dr. Heng Lim, an Owasso, Oklahoma, cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

I Had Three Dental Implants Removed

Part of my April 2022 full-mouth reconstruction included five dental implants. I had problems with the implants within two months and had repeated appointments with the dentist. The dentist said that the bone seemed too shallow for three implants and he would probably need to remove them. He asked me to wait two months (I don’t know why and should not have agreed), and after another x-ray, we agreed to remove the implants. The dentist said I needed bone grafting before he could place new implants. I told him I needed time to think about my next steps, but I did not return. I have become almost phobic about what might happen next, so I haven’t seen a dentist since then. I know I must do something about the three missing teeth, but I do not know who to trust. I am more comfortable getting some answers from dental offices online to prepare me for in-person visits. What are my options? – Thank you. Sherif

Sherif,

Thank your question. We are sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with your full-mouth reconstruction. Skilled implant dentists and oral surgeons take a 3-D CT scan of your oral anatomy to plan the dental implant placement and determine whether you need bone grafting first. Although you did not mention a 3-D scan, your dentist may not have taken one, ignored the findings, or skipped the grafting procedure.

What Happens After Dental Implant Failure and Removal?

If your dental implants failed and a dentist removed them due to low bone volume, a skilled implant can help. Before you get new implants, a dentist must complete these steps:

Take a 3-D CT scan of your mouth
Perform bone grafting surgery to help your body grow new bone
Wait four months for the grafts to heal
Place new implants

What Can You Do About a Dentist’s Negligence?

If a dentist’s negligence resulted in dental implant failure, request a refund. If your dentist resists, you can pursue the refund with these steps:

Schedule a second opinion appointment with an advanced implant dentist and use the evaluation as proof of negligence
Report the negligence to the state dental board
Hire a malpractice attorney

Your dentist is responsible for these reasons:

Substandard care
Actions that led to infection and trauma
Faulty dental care

Your increased anxiety is understandable. Speak with the second-opinion dentist about your anxiety and ask about sedation options to help you relax. Please remember that delaying tooth replacement leads to further bone shrinkage, and teeth adjacent to the missing ones will shift and cause misalignment.

We wish you a smooth, progressive resolution for healthy tooth restoration and a confident smile.

Dr. Heng Lim, an Owasso, Oklahoma dentist, sponsors this post.