What are the Possible Side Effects for Dental Implants?
No medical or dental procedure is without risk or potential side effects, including dental implants. Although implants have a 95 to 98 percent success rate, side effects and complications do occur in some patients. Most of them are minor and easily treated as long as you contact your dentists in Phoenix as soon as possible.
If you’re thinking of getting implants, it’s smart to know both the benefits and the risks. While extremely rare, these are the potential side effects and risks of dental implants.
Temporary Side Effects with Dental Implants
A few side effects are immediate but will clear up and go away as you heal. These things are expected, and your dentist won’t be surprised if you experience them.
- Swelling in your gums and face that may last up to 48 hours
- Bruised skin and gums which may last several days
- Pain and discomfort typically lasts no more than two weeks
- Minor bleeding can last up to 24 hours
Your dentist will likely prescribe pain medication for your discomfort. If any of these immediate side effects become worse or don’t go away as quickly as they should, it could be a sign of infection or another problem. You’ll need to contact the office as soon as possible.
Common Side Effects and Complications of Dental Implants
Of all the possible risks and side effects of dental implants, some are more common than others. It’s still happens rarely, but you need to be aware of the possibility.
- Infection where the implant was put in
- Injury or damage to your teeth, gums, or blood vessels
- Nerve damage which can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your gums, teeth, lips, or chin
- Sinus problems usually caused by dental implants in your upper jaw protruding into your sinus cavity
To avoid most side effects and complications, it’s important to give your dentist your complete medical history and tell them all of the medications you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as vitamins and supplements. Why is this important? Because some medications interfere with the success of your implants or cause side effects which may cause other problems once you have the dental implant surgery.
Some complications are extremely rare but you need to contact your dentist immediately if they occur:
- Loose implants
- Swollen, red, painful gums after you’ve already healed
- A bad smell or taste that comes from the implant
Dental Implant Failure
The worst possible outcome from your dental implant surgery is total failure of your implants. In some cases, you may be able to try again in a few months. The more you share with your dentist about your medical history and the more willing you are to follow your dentist’s instructions, the less likely you are to experience these complications.
The bone fails to fuse to the implant: For the implant to be sturdy in your mouth and behave like your natural teeth, it needs to fuse to your jawbone. When this doesn’t happen, the implants become loose or experience other problems. Patients who smoke, have untreated osteoporosis, drink a lot of alcohol, or have uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to experience this type of dental implant failure.
Implant fracture: An implant fracture occurs when undue stress and pressure are placed on the implant, causing it to crack or break. The implant is then removed completely and a new one can, usually, be implanted again in a few months. Fractures happen if you’ve got a severe tooth-grinding or jaw-clenching habit. It can also occur if the implant is placed in the wrong spot.
Conclusion
Every dental procedure has a side effect or two, but most are mild and go away almost immediately. Dental implants are a fairly invasive procedure so it’s no surprise that swelling, pain, and bruising will be part of your recovery. Most of the time, if you experience any of these things with any severity, your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic or pain medication.
But other complications can often be prevented or avoided. The first step is to find a high quality dentist who takes precautions. The second step is to go through all the tests, x-rays, and questions before the procedure. Share your complete medical history and all your medications and do your part to help minimize the complications and side effects from your dental implant procedure.
