Improper Placement: This is a significant issue that can lead to long-term complications. While an implant might seem securely in place initially, poor positioning—off just slightly—can cause long-term bite problems, excessive pressure on the implant, or difficulty with the final restoration. For example, if an implant is placed too close to a nerve, it can cause pain or numbness in the affected area. A specialist, with extensive training in jaw anatomy, uses advanced imaging and planning to ensure precise placement, significantly reducing these risks.
Dental Implant Problems & Revision in Dallas
Understanding Dental Implants: When Well-Laid Plans Go Awry
Dental implants are a game-changer for people with missing teeth, offering a long-lasting, natural-looking solution. They boast an impressive success rate, especially when placed by experienced specialists who follow meticulous planning and proven techniques. Implants don’t always work as intended, though. They do sometimes fail, particularly when someone places them with little experience.
But because dental implants are a precise surgical procedure, the expertise of a specialist ensures the highest level of safety, accuracy, and long-term success. That’s why, while many general dentists offer implant placement, the expertise of a periodontal specialist like Dr. Ovadia or Dr. Tanur is often crucial in avoiding future implant problems. Drs. Ovadia and Tanur are Diplomates of the American Board of Periodontology, an award earned by only a fraction of periodontists.
What Is Dental Implant Revision?
Dental implants have a high success rate, and problems with them are rare. When something does go wrong, the gums around the implant may become infected, the bone may fail to bond with the implant, or the crown on top may not fit your bite. Dental implant revision means finding the cause of the problem and correcting it so your smile has a healthy, stable foundation again.
Dr. Tanur and Dr. Ovadia are periodontists, which means they are specialists in placing dental implants and in treating the gum and bone that surround them. Dr. Ovadia teaches graduate residents the latest techniques in surgical placement of dental implants as an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry. Dr. Tanur has been a certified periodontist since 1992. Both doctors are members of the American Academy of Osseointegration.
Warning Signs of a Failing Dental Implant
Implant problems are easier to treat when they are caught early. Schedule an exam if you notice:
- Red or bluish-purple gums around the implant
- Bleeding at the gumline when you brush
- Swelling of the gums around the implant
- Sensitivity or soreness around the implant
- Pus coming from the implant or the gums
- Exposed implant threads
- An implant that feels loose
Peri-implantitis is a form of gum disease, and gum disease usually progresses without pain until it is severe. Don’t wait for discomfort before you call.
Why a Specialist's Skill Matters
Here are a few potential problems that highlight why specialized expertise is so critical:
The Other Half of the Equation: A Flawless Crown
As critical as the implant’s placement is, it’s only half the story. The final tooth or crown that attaches to the implant is equally essential. Many patients, driven by insurance coverage or lower costs, opt for cheap dental implant crowns. Choosing a high-quality crown is necessary. Dr. Tanur and Dr. Ovadia partner with trusted dental labs to ensure crowns that are both beautiful and durable.
A lower-cost crown might seem fine at first, but a custom design ensures every crown matches your bite precisely, preventing discomfort and supporting long-term implant health. This is where a skilled dentist comes in. Drs. Ovadia and Tanur work closely with your dentist and use expert dental labs to design a crown that is not only cosmetically perfect but also contoured to fit your unique bite. This meticulous attention to detail ensures your new tooth functions in perfect harmony with the rest of your mouth, protecting your significant investment for a lifetime.
How Our Periodontists Evaluate a Problem Implant
Every revision starts with a thorough examination. Dr. Tanur or Dr. Ovadia examines the gum around the implant, then uses digital X-rays and our Carestream cone beam CT scanner to see the implant and the surrounding bone in 3D from any angle. AI-integrated treatment planning helps the doctors analyze those scans in detail.
Because a crown that doesn’t match your bite can put excessive force on an implant, the doctors check your bite and the crown as well. You then get a clear explanation of what the problem is and how it can be resolved, along with a written treatment plan.
Options for Treating a Failing Implant
The right plan depends on the cause and on how much bone and gum remain. This table shows how common problems are approached.
| Problem found | What treatment may involve |
|---|---|
| Early inflammation around the implant | Professional implant cleanings with implant-friendly instruments and a regular cleaning program |
| Peri-implantitis with bone loss | Controlling the infection and, where bone has been lost, a bone graft to repair or regenerate it |
| Thin or receding gum around the implant | Gum grafting to strengthen the tissue around the implant |
| Crown or bite problem | A custom crown designed with your dentist and a trusted dental lab to fit your bite |
Where bone has been lost, bone grafting rebuilds the foundation, and gum grafting can strengthen the tissue around an implant to help avoid inflammation and recession. To support healing after surgery, the doctors can use Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), a natural healing agent made from your own blood. If you feel anxious about treatment, sedation options include a sedative pill with nitrous oxide or IV sedation given by a board-certified anesthesiologist.
Protecting Your Implant After Treatment
Implants need the same daily care as natural teeth. At home, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and implant-specific floss or a water flosser. Regular professional dental implant cleanings matter just as much. Our hygienists use implant-friendly instruments that won’t scratch the implant surface, including ultrasonic cleaners with soft tips and air polishing with glycine powder, and they can spot early inflammation before it becomes a bigger problem.
A bad bite can cause teeth grinding and loosen implants, so let the doctors know if you clench or grind. Smoking significantly increases the risk of gum disease, so quitting also helps protect the tissue that holds your implant.
What Does Implant Revision Cost?
Because revision depends on what is causing the problem, the cost depends on your treatment plan. Your new patient exam includes a comprehensive oral exam, a 3D CT scan and a written treatment plan, so you know what your care involves before it begins.
We are not in network with dental insurance, but we will help you prepare your claim and can file it electronically for you. Patients who prepay in full receive a 5% courtesy discount, and financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit, Cherry and LendingClub.
Dental Implant Revision FAQs
Problems found early are generally easier to treat, which is why regular implant cleanings matter. Our hygienists can identify early signs of inflammation before they become a bigger problem. If you already have symptoms, the doctors will examine the implant, review your 3D scans and explain how the problem can be resolved.
Yes. The gum and bone around an implant stay vulnerable to infection, so peri-implantitis can develop if plaque and bacteria build up. A crown that doesn’t match your bite can also loosen an implant over time. Regular implant cleanings and checkups help catch these problems early.
Yes. If you had implants placed elsewhere and are having problems, Dr. Tanur and Dr. Ovadia can assess the implant and recommend solutions. They work closely with your general dentist and trusted dental labs on the final crown.
Call as soon as you notice bleeding, swelling, pus or an implant that feels loose. Please contact us promptly so the doctors can assess the implant and get your oral health back on track.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
If you had implants placed elsewhere and are experiencing issues, Dr. Tanur and Dr. Ovadia provide solutions. Their advanced training allows them to restore health and stability to your smile. If you are experiencing problems with an implant, please contact us promptly for a consultation. We can assess the situation and recommend solutions to get your oral health back on track.
