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It also has the potential to cause long-term complications. This article outlines the potential complications and long-term issues that can result from DIS. It also provides information on implant success rates, aftercare, and recovery time. How do dental implants work Share on PinterestWhile dental implants can be beneficial, surgery can pose a risk.A dental implant is a long-term replacement for a missing tooth. The implant is a titanium screw that a dental surgeon screws into the jawbone in place of the original tooth’s root. Over a recovery period, the implant and jawbone fuse together. After fusing, the implant can support an artificial tooth or crown. Dental implants can have several functional and cosmetic benefits, including:restoring the appearance of damaged teethimproving biting and chewing functionstabilizing surrounding teeth and jaw tissuepreventing bone loss Potential complications from surgery There are several potential complications that can occur following DIS. The sections below will outline some of these. Below are some of the more common problems that may develop following DIS. Infection An infection at the implant site is the most common complication of DIS. Treatment for an infection depends on the severity and location of the infection. For example, a bacterial infection in the gum may require antibiotics or a soft tissue graft. A bacterial infection in the bone may require removal of the infected bone tissue and possibly the implant, followed by a bone and soft tissue graft. Gum recession In some cases, a person may find that the gum tissue around the implant begins to recede. This can lead to inflammation and pain. Getting a prompt assessment from a dentist is essential to prevent the removal of the implant. Loose implant In the first few weeks following DIS, the dental implant will grow and fuse with the jawbone. This process is called osseointegration, and it is crucial to the long-term success of the implant. This process can take many months. If the implant fails to fuse with the bone, the dental surgeon may remove it. A person may be able to reattempt the implant procedure once the area has healed. Nerve or tissue damage Sometimes, a dental surgeon may inadvertently place a dental implant too close to a nerve. This can cause numbness, tingling, or pain. Short-term symptoms are most common in dental implant surgery, but a person may experience long-term symptoms. A nerve or tissue problem requires immediate attention. Injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in the lower jaw can be potentially serious. Some possible symptoms of an IAN injury include:persistent numbness on the side of the implant, including the lower lip and chinpersistent pain or discomforttingling, tickling, or burning sensations in the gums and skin Less common problems DIS may also result in some less common problems, such as sinus issues and damage to the dental implant itself. Sinus issues Upper jaw dental implants can protrude into the sinus cavities, causing inflammation of the sinuses. This is known as sinusitis. Some potential symptoms of sinusitis include:pain, tenderness, or swelling around the cheeks, eyes, or foreheadgreen or yellow nasal mucusa blocked nosea reduced sense of smellsinus headachestoothachebad breatha high temperature Damage from excessive force As with any tooth, excessive force or impact can cause a dental implant to crack or become loose. Some people may apply excessive force to dental implants without even realizing it. For example, some people grind, or brux, their teeth while sleeping. People who are prone to this behavior may need to wear a mouthguard to prevent damage to the implant as well as their natural teeth. Long-term issues Peri-implantitis is a type of gum disease that causes loss of the bone supporting the implant. It develops due to chronic inflammation at the site of the implant. According to one 2017 review, peri-implantitis can take about 5 years to progress and cause symptoms. These symptoms typically include bleeding or swelling around the site of the dental implant. There is also a rare possibility of the body rejecting a dental implant. Based on a 2019 review, researchers are investigating the risks of using dental implants made from titanium or other metals. Some people have a rare metal sensitivity that causes their body to reject metal implants. The researchers recommend that people undergo metal sensitivity testing before receiving such implants. Who should have dental implants Dental implants are a good solution for people who are replacing teeth damaged by severe decay or trauma. However, two potential problems regarding dental implants are suitability and success rate. Suitability One key problem with dental implants is that they are not suitable for everyone. To receive dental implants, a person must have good overall health. They must also have healthy gums and a healthy jawbone, as these structures will support the dental implant throughout the person’s lifetime. Dental implants are unsuitable for children, as their facial bones are still growing. Success rate Sometimes, a dental implant may fail. Healthcare professionals categorize implant failure into one of two categories: early failure (which occurs shortly after the insertion of the implant) or late failure (which occurs after the implant has been in place for a period of time). Dental implants have a success rate of around 90-95%. However, they may have a reduced success rate among people who: smokehave diabeteshave gum diseasehave had radiation therapy to the jaw areatake certain medications Taking care of implants The best way to ensure the success of a dental implant is to follow the aftercare advice the surgeon provides. After undergoing DIS, a person should avoid hot food and drinks while numb and stick to a soft food diet for at least a few days. As with a person’s natural teeth, an implant and the tissues surrounding it require regular cleaning. A person should floss the area at least once per day after the gums have healed and use interdental brushes to access areas that are more difficult to reach. People should also schedule regular dental check-ups and appointments for cleaning areas below the gum line. People who smoke may wish to consider quitting, as this will reduce the risk of complications from DIS. When to see a doctor or dentist Following DIS, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infection. A person may also require an over-the-counter or prescription pain reliever to help alleviate any pain. Any swelling or bruising should subside within a few days of the surgery. However, if pain and swelling persist beyond a week, the person should book a follow-up dental appointment. The process of initial healing takes a few weeks, and full osseointegration can take months. A person should seek medical attention if their dental implants begin to move slightly or continue to hurt after a few weeks. Addressing the problem is crucial to preventing complications. Outlook Simple DIS usually only requires local anesthetics, so most people tend to have a relatively short recovery time. However, some people may experience the following symptoms after DIS:pain at the site of the dental implantminor bleedingbruising of the gums or skinswelling of the gums or face A dentist or oral surgeon will advise that the person gets plenty of rest following the procedure. They may also recommend a temporary diet of soft foods and the application of an ice pack to the affected part of the face to help alleviate inflammation and swelling. Discomfort levels may vary from person to person and depending on the number of implants the surgeon placed. However, taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen should be sufficient to alleviate any pain. Pain medications are usually necessary for 2–3 days after the procedure. The average time it takes for a person to heal after DIS varies, from around 2-6 months. Once healing is complete, the dental surgeon can place an artificial tooth onto the implant. Summary DIS is not suitable for everyone. A person will need to undergo an extensive dental examination by a surgeon to determine whether or not they are a suitable candidate for the procedure. Dental implants have a high success rate of around 95%, and they lead to an increased quality of life for many people. However, dental implants can cause complications, such as infections, gum recession, and nerve and tissue damage. A person should see their dental surgeon if they develop any worrying symptoms following DIS. Last medically reviewed on September 26, 2022DentistrySurgeryInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / VirusesPain / AnestheticsPrimary Care 12 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Alghamdi, H. S. (2018). Methods to improve osseointegration of dental implants in low quality (type-IV) bone: An overview.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5872093/An, J.-H., et al. (2017). Treatment of dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus.https://jkamprs.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40902-017-0133-1Bryce, G., et al. (2014). Pre- and post-operative management of dental implant placement. Part 1: Management of post-operative pain.https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2014.650Dental implants. (2021).https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/dental/dental-implants.pdfDental implants: Information for patients. (2021).https://www.nhstaysidecdn.scot.nhs.uk/NHSTaysideWeb/idcplg?IdcService=GET_SECURE_FILE&dDocName=PROD_212371&Rendition=web&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=1Dental implants: What you should know. (2021).https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-knowHanif, A., et al. (2017). Complications in implant dentistry.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5379828/Implants. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/i/implantsJamil, F. A., et al. (2020). The reliability of surgeons to avoid traumatic insertion of dental implants into high-risk regions: a panoramic radiograph study.https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-020-01093-8Lin, C.-S., et al. (2016). Systematic review and meta-analysis on incidence of altered sensation of mandibular implant surgery.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839635/Přikrylová, J., et al. (2019). Side effects of dental metal implants: Impact on human health (metal as a risk factor of implantologic treatment).https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334381924_Side_Effects_of_Dental_Metal_Implants_Impact_on_Human_Health_Metal_as_a_Risk_Factor_of_Implantologic_TreatmentRaikar, S., et al. (2017). Factors affecting the survival rate of dental implants: A retrospective study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774056/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — By Alex Bell — Updated on September 26, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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