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.