Dental implants are known as permanent dental solutions. However, there are some situations where dental implants may need to be removed or replaced. In most cases, dental implants are a lifelong investment that can replace or protect your remaining teeth. In some cases, however, dental implants may need to be removed due to infection, failure to attach, or cosmetic reasons such as misalignment.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are permanent teeth replacements or anchors that are attached to the jawbone. Dental implants are secured during surgery and are then allowed to heal before installing replacement veneers or dental bridges.
Dental implants allow for a permanent, stable tooth replacement that helps patients retain jaw shape and avoids bone loss. Implants also allow for all-on-four denture replacements, which are more durable than traditional dentures and can be used for eating like natural teeth. Sometimes, a bone graft is necessary to fix the jaw before placing an implant.
While dental implants can be more expensive than a standard set of dentures due to the surgical costs, in most cases, dental implants last for much longer than dentures. Therefore, they are a permanent commitment to your dental health and well-being.
The main downside to dental implants is the healing time. Dental implants may take months to complete, as bone growth is a slow process. However, your dental team will work with you to ensure you are comfortable and check up on you frequently during the healing time.
Why Are Dental Implants Removed?
Your dentist can remove dental implants in the case of poor healing. Since dental implants drill directly into the bone, if the bone does not heal back correctly or is weakened, the implant may need to be removed. Similarly, in the rare case of infection or rejection, your dentist will remove the implant, and the area is allowed to heal before undergoing further dental treatment. Finally, in some rare cases, patients may have a dental implant removed to install a new implant, in the case of going from a single implant tooth to a complete denture setup.
Removing Dental Implants
Dental implants are usually screwed into the bone. In many cases, removing a dental implant requires anesthesia for the patient and the implant unscrewed. However, some edge cases need more invasive surgery, such as where the implant has shifted or if there is an infection around the implant site. Thankfully, dental implant removal is a fairly straightforward procedure, and while it may take several sessions to remove the tooth thoroughly, the result is a healthier mouth.
If you are interested in if your dental implant can be removed or are looking to talk to a dental expert, contact our office. Here at South Fallsburg Dental, we pride ourselves on providing accurate, comfortable dental care for our patients. Whether you are looking to invest in dental implants, are hoping to upgrade your dentures, or are simply looking to maintain your dental hygiene, our team of experts can answer any questions you may have. So, if you’re looking for quality, supportive dental care, call our office today at (845) 434-1202 or request an appointment online.