Implant dentistry has come a long way over a short period of time, with the introduction of some superb dental implant materials and implantology clinical skills that allow for the facial and bite restoration of cases such as yours. However, I am sure that you are aware that like most surgical procedures there are some risks. The most significant risks in your treatment are discomfort, swelling, bruising, and infection and delayed healing. There is a risk of accidental damage to adjacent anatomic structures such as teeth, though with accurate planning this should be avoidable.
It is widely accepted among experienced implantologists that there is a risk of implant failure of approximately 1%to 5% depending on your specific circumstances. There is a low risk of failure after the first year in function as long as your health, both general and around the implant is maintained and no excessive forces are exerted.
Dental implants are precisely and gently placed into healthy bone. They are allowed to heal under the gum over the following months and during this period the dental implants should not be loaded or put under any direct stress. This enables the bone to fuse to the dental implants, a process known as osseointegration.
Smoking may increase the risk of implant failure during the early healing phase or during the process of osseointegration.
In the majority of cases, if the dental implant holds for the 1st few weeks and no infection is present, you can expect it to hold for a lifetime. In the unlikely case that a dental implant should fail either at the same time or at a later stage, it can be replaced; and occasionally additional procedures may be required.
Excessive forces may result in some of the component parts fracturing. You are now also aware that dental implants and teeth are subject to wear and tear over time and depending on the amount of wear the need to replace the crown may arise. There is a risk of gum recession around the implant and though may not affect its survival it may require cosmetic dental treatment for aesthetic reasons.
Is there anything else that you’d like to know about the risks of dental implant procedures abroad? If so, please leave me a comment below and I’ll add it to the page.
Hi, I have advanced peridonitis and have both lost teeth and have loose teeth.If I was to have all teeth extracted, how long is it likely to take for me to have totally got rid of related infection?
How long would it be best to leave between extraction and all on four treatment?
If I had extraction and then all on four one on, say my upper mouth, would the remaining lower teeth pose a risk to the surgery of my upper mouth? Many thanks
Dear Mandi,
The usual healing time after an infection has cleared is 8-12 weeks, this is also the healing period after extraction.
There is no risk to the opposite jaw, the main risk however is that your infection doesn’t spread and cause further bone loss, as this will hinder the placement of the implants needed for the “all on 4” procedure. If that was the case, bone grafting may be necessary as well, before the “all on 4” procedure could take place.
I hope that helps…
Thank you, I think I understand. To clarify: once teeth are removed it takes 8-12 weeks for the infection in the extracted areas to resolve?
what are the risks of infection in remaining teeth attacking the implants and bone they are connected to?
Many thanks
Hi Mandi,
It takes 8-12 weeks for the bone to heal and fill the gap left by the extraction, and during this healing, any infection usually clears up naturally as well.
The risk of infection spreading from the root of on tooth to another is very probable, however it does take some time to spread.