Botched Dental Implants Treatment

Botched Dental Implants Treatment

Visible tooth loss frequently leads to an individual feeling self-conscious about his or her smile. For most patients, dental implants are the perfect solution to replace their missing teeth. However, people who receive their implants from an inexperienced periodontist or implant dentist could end up with botched dental implants. The good news is that Miami Dental Implant Specialist Dr. William P. Lamas has the skill, experience, and extensive knowledge necessary to correct many of the problems resulting from botched implants.

What Are Botched Dental Implants?

Implants can fail for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the dental professional performing the dental implant procedure is inexperienced, rushed, or uses inferior products. Each of these issues can result in the patient receiving botched dental implants.

Dental Implants: An Overview

A dental implant replaces the missing root of a lost tooth. The implant itself looks like a small screw. A dental implant can secure a single crown, or multiple implants can secure a bridge or a full denture.

A complete dental implant consists of a titanium screw, an abutment, and a prosthesis. The abutment is what attaches the patient’s prosthesis to the titanium screw.

Who Should Consider Dental Implants?

Implants are usually ideal for patients who need a dental solution that offers more consistent performance than the alternative options (e.g., traditional dentures and partials). However, installing implants can be a complicated procedure, and to reduce the likelihood of botched dental implants, a patient must have a sufficient amount of bone to properly anchor them. Nonetheless, even if a patient lacks sufficient bone, an experienced dentist can address this issue with a bone graft. Thus helping the patient become a more suitable candidate for dental implants.

The Fusion Process

Once in place, bone cells begin to grow around the titanium screw. This process fuses the jawbone and implant together (i.e., osseointegration), essentially making them one. Following proper osseointegration, a patient can receive a single implant to support a crown or multiple implants to support a bridge or denture.

When an experienced implant specialist places dental implants, the benefits are many. One of the most significant is that, following attachment of the permanent prosthesis, the patient enjoys teeth that look and feel natural.

Is It Safe To Receive Dental Implants From a Tourism Dentist Abroad?

Since implant placement is less expensive abroad, some patients choose to have their dental implants placed by an individual who is referred to as a dental tourism dentist. Although the implants and prostheses themselves may be less expensive, when receiving treatment abroad, the potential for botched implants increases.

Why Does the Risk of Botched Dental Implants Increase Abroad?

Unlike America, many countries lack standards and regulations. This, in and of itself, increases the likelihood of a patient experiencing a problem. In addition, dental tourism dentists tend to be extremely busy, which means they may neglect to take the time to ensure their patients receive the high-quality care they deserve.

Furthermore, some tourism dentists use prostheses that are created using low-quality materials. Another common issue patients who receive their implants abroad experience is poorly secured prostheses.

What Could Cause a Botched Dental Implant?

There are several reasons why an implant fails. Nonetheless, choosing a highly skilled dental implant specialist at Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami decreases the likelihood of a patient experiencing botched dental implants.

Botched implants may result from the implant dentist:

• Neglecting to angle the implants properly.
• Using low-quality materials.
• Placing the implants too far apart.
• Neglecting to perform a bone graft when the patient lacks a sufficient amount of jaw bone to support the implants and prosthesis.
• Moving forward with dental implant placement too soon after a bone graft.
• Placing the dental implants following an unsuccessful bone graft procedure.
• Accidentally contaminating the surgical site.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Failing or Botched Dental Implant?

The reason for implant failure varies. However, despite the reason, the symptoms of a failing implant are typically the same.

Whether these signs are present early on or years after implant placement, they may indicate a botched or failing dental implant.

The main signs and symptoms of a failing or botched implant are:

• Severe discomfort.
• Intense pain.
• A shifting or loose dental implant.
• Gum inflammation.
• Drainage.
• Difficulty biting into food and chewing.
• Bleeding.
• Receding gum tissue at the site of the dental implant.

If any of these symptoms become evident, it is vital for the patient to seek treatment. Addressing a botched dental implant right away may prevent the development of an infection and additional bone loss. Scheduling an appointment with Dr. Lamas during the early stages of a failing dental implant provides the patient with the best chance for a successful resolution.

What if a Dental Implant Looks Fine, but It Hurts?

Even when a dental implant looks fine, if the patient is experiencing pain, there could still be an underlying problem.

Directly following surgery, patients should expect to have some pain in the area surrounding a dental implant. However, once this initial pain subsides, if intermittent or incessant jaw pain develops, the patient needs to contact Dr. William P. Lamas’ office. Contacting Dr. Lamas right away helps decrease the likelihood of a patient’s implants failing.

Reasons for Botched Implants Resulting From Incompetence

If a patient has an underqualified dentist or facility install a dental implant, he or she may experience premature implant failure.

Patients need to be able to recognize whether they have botched dental implants resulting from a dentist’s inexperience or incompetence.

Premature implant failure may occur when a dental professional:

• Misdiagnoses the patient.
• Provides the patient with the wrong treatment.
• Fails to attain and understand the patient’s full medical history, including pre-existing conditions.
• Administers medications or antibiotics incorrectly (e.g., giving a patient the wrong dose).
• Fails to provide the patient with information about the risks and benefits associated with dental implant surgery.
• Neglects to get the patient’s informed consent for surgery.
• Uses unsterilized tools, which can result in botched dental implants.
• Installs dental implants even though a patient lacks the amount of jaw bone necessary to support the implant post and prosthesis.
• Neglects to schedule the patient’s follow-up appointments.
• Uses abutments that do not fit correctly.
• Loads the implants too soon following a bone graft.

Some signs of implant failure that are typically related to incompetence:

• The dental implants may have large gaps between them – If a dental professional places the implants too far apart, the patient may have large gaps between the teeth. This complication is frequently referred to as piano teeth.
• Early implant failure may be due to incomplete integration – Once the dental professional places the patient’s implant, osseointegration begins. However, if the integration process between the bone and implant fails to occur properly, it is likely that the patient will experience a botched implant. When this complication occurs shortly after insertion, it is referred to as early failure.
• A botched implant may be installed at the wrong angle – When an implant is at odds with the patient’s other teeth, it is apparent that the dentist neglected to install the implant properly.

Can Dr. Lamas Reposition an Incorrectly Placed Implant?

Yes. Since Dr. William P. Lamas is a dental implant specialist, he can revise the patient’s botched implant so that it aligns perfectly with the other teeth. During the revision surgery, Dr. Lamas can correct the implant’s angle and properly space the implant to ensure it looks natural.

If a patient has multiple dental implants that are incorrectly placed, Dr. Lamas may be able to address this issue as well.

Other Reasons Implants Fail

Although there are instances when a patient’s implant is botched due to a dentist’s negligence or inexperience, there are other factors that can lead to implant failure. And the patient controls some of these factors.

The patient:

• Has inadequate oral hygiene practices.
• Develops gum disease or some other type of oral bacterial infection and does not seek treatment.
• Smokes.
• Tends to grind his or her teeth while awake.
• Has bruxism (i.e., grinds his or her teeth while sleeping) and does not wear a night guard.
• Neglects to follow through with prescribed care (e.g., biannual cleanings and checkups).
• Takes medications that reduce or inhibit bone growth (e.g., heparin and warfarin).
• Has a chronic health condition (e.g., diabetes) or is in the process of having treatment for cancer.

In addition, as time passes, the cement that bonds the prosthetic to its abutment may deteriorate, an implant may loosen, or the abutment may sustain damage.

Long-Term Implant Failure

If implant failure occurs a year or more following surgery, this complication is referred to as a long-term failure. A long-term failure typically occurs when the patient neglects to take care of his or her dental implants properly.

The Full Osseointegration Process Can Take Years

If an implant neglects to integrate fully, it is unlikely that the patient will have long-term success. Therefore, implant failure can result from inadequate osseointegration.

What Is the Most Common Reason for Dental Implant Failure?

Infection is the most common reason for dental implant failure among those whose dentist properly installs the implant.

At any point during implant therapy, a bacterial infection can cause an implant to fail. Peri-implantitis is a term referring to the inflammatory response of the gingival tissue surrounding dental implants. A bacterial infection can also cause bone loss.

How Does Dr. Lamas Correct Botched Dental Implants?

The problem a patient is experiencing determines which solution Dr. William P. Lamas recommends.

Potential solutions for botched dental implants:

When a patient’s prosthesis feels loose, Dr. Lamas can readjust the dental prosthesis or address an incorrectly placed dental implant. After treatment, the patient’s prosthesis fits securely, making it feel just like natural teeth.

If the patient’s prosthesis is damaged, looks unnatural, or fits incorrectly, Dr. William P. Lamas can fix the patient’s botched prosthesis by creating a new one. The prostheses that Dr. Lamas creates for his patients fit properly and look natural. Furthermore, when creating a dental prosthesis, he uses high-quality materials, which reduces the likelihood of the prosthesis sustaining damage.

When a patient’s prosthesis is not functioning correctly, he or she may have difficulty chewing. Dr. William P. Lamas can address this issue by adjusting the prosthesis or dental implant. Following treatment, the patient’s botched dental implant and prosthesis will function correctly.

Can Dr. Lamas Correct a Failed Bone Graft?

Once Dr. William P. Lamas views digital images or X-rays of the patient’s jaw bone and examines his or her mouth, he can determine whether there is a procedure available to correct the patient’s botched dental implant.

When Placed Correctly, Dental Implants Offer a Long-Term Solution

Dental implants offer an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth. However, for implants to be a long-term solution, the dental professional must place them correctly. For this reason, to decrease the likelihood of failure, it is vital to choose an experienced implant specialist to perform the procedure.

Can a Patient Help Reduce the Risk of Implant Failure?

Yes. Although complications are always possible, there are things that a patient can do to help minimize the risk of implant failure.

Patients can help reduce their risk of experiencing dental implant failure by:

1. Providing An Accurate Medical History

Since certain medical conditions can raise the risk of an unsuccessful implant, patients must provide their dental professional with an accurate medical history. If a patient has a medical condition that could increase the likelihood of failure, Dr. Lamas may recommend an alternative solution that is likely to succeed.

2. Practicing Good Oral Hygiene

Periodontal disease negatively affects the jaw bone’s density and wreaks havoc on gingival tissue, which is why poor oral hygiene can increase the likelihood of implant failure. Good oral hygiene requires brushing at least twice a day, flossing, and scheduling biannual dental cleanings and checkups.

3. Stopping Their Use of Products That Contain Nicotine

The nicotine in cigarettes causes the blood vessels to constrict (i.e., narrow). This constriction reduces blood flow throughout the body, including in the mouth. If the flow of blood to the mouth decreases, healing takes longer, and the likelihood of a complication following dental implant surgery increases. Ideally, patients should quit smoking before they have their dental implant surgery. Nonetheless, even if a patient stops smoking after his or her surgery, the risk of failure dramatically decreases.

4. Keeping Their Dental Appointments

Shortly after receiving dental implants, patients return for follow-up visits. These visits are essential to ensuring that the osseointegration process is moving along as anticipated.

5. Voicing Their Concerns

During dental appointments at Lamas Dental Specialists in Miami, Dr. William P. Lamas encourages his patients to mention their concerns and inform him if they notice any changes.

How Much Does It Cost To Correct Botched Dental Implants?

Every patient is unique, and so are his or her needs. Therefore, the only way that Dr. Lamas can determine how much an individual’s dental implant correction costs is with an initial consultation.

Does Dental Insurance Help Pay For Botched Dental Implants?

Insurance company coverage varies. For this reason, Dr. William P. Lamas recommends that his patients contact their dental insurance company to find out what their policy covers.

If you are in the Miami area and have botched dental implants, contact Lamas Dental Specialists at 305-440-4114 today. Dr. William P. Lamas is an implant specialist who helps resolve the issues that cause dental implants to fail. Whether your prosthesis is loose or you have a failed bone graft, Dr. Lamas has the knowledge, skill, and dedication necessary to help solve the issues associated with botched dental implants. Lamas Dental Specialist is located at 2645 Southwest 37th Avenue, Suite 302 in Miami.