The short answer is yes. The titanium implant won't get an infection, but the supporting bone and tissue around a dental implant can become infected, which could cause the implant to fail. However, it's important to remember that this is a rare occurrence, and there are steps you can take to prevent an infection.
When Your Gum and Bone Around the Dental Implant Get Infected
Infection is the enemy of a tooth implant and is the number one cause of implant failure. This is why our dentists ensure you're an excellent candidate to successfully support a dental implant with good general health and enough healthy bone to place the implant into. We do this before starting an implant procedure to ensure your implant gets off to a good start.
Regular checkups with your Fayetteville dentist every six months are also a proactive measure to protect your dental implant from breakdown and your bone and tissues from infection. Our dentists will use preventive exams and yearly x-rays to ensure your implant is healthy, and we can make you aware of any concerns early when it's easier to treat those problems.
When Infection Impacts a Tooth Implant
There are a few reasons your soft tissues and bone could become infected.
- Problems during implant placement — If your implant isn't placed correctly during surgery, or your sinus is perforated, it could cause an infection.
- Periodontal disease — If your bone becomes infected due to gum disease, it can no longer support a tooth implant.
- Osseointegration failure — This happens when your implant doesn't properly fuse to your bone.
- Smoking or tobacco use — Using tobacco products can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to problems like gum disease and tooth infections.
- Allergic reaction—Some patients have a reaction to the titanium used in dental implants, which could result in an infection.
Talk with Your Team at Northwest Arkansas Family Dental
The good news is that our dentists are committed to helping you reach your smile goals, including ensuring your tooth implant doesn't fail. We'll talk with you about your candidacy for dental implants and what you need to do ahead of time to ensure we get the best results for your smile.
If you're interested in learning more about dental implants cost Fayetteville, AR, contact our team at (479) 521-2002 to schedule an evaluation with one of our dentists.