Implant Surgery & Support
Failed or failing dental implant
Persistent pain, swelling, or mobility requires prompt evaluation — but it does not necessarily mean the implant is lost.
An implant in trouble is a time-sensitive problem. Caught early, many can be stabilised and saved. Left alone, the bone loss that underlies most failures continues, and the window for saving it closes.
If something about your implant has changed, have it looked at rather than waiting to see whether it settles.
Why implants fail
Early Failure
Surgical factors, inadequate bone quality at the site, infection, or premature loading of the implant before integration was complete.
Late Failure
Usually peri-implantitis — bacterial infection destroying the supporting bone — or excessive bite forces overloading the implant over time.
Warning signs
- ✓ Pain or any mobility at the implant site
- ✓ Swelling, redness, or bleeding around the implant
- ✓ Silent bone loss from peri-implantitis, often detected only on imaging
- ✓ Problems with the crown or restoration itself, including looseness or fracture
What treatment involves
Early-stage peri-implantitis can often be stabilised through decontamination of the implant surface combined with bone grafting to restore lost support. Many implants are saved this way.
Where removal is genuinely necessary, the site is allowed to heal over three to four months, with additional time if bone grafting is needed before a replacement implant can be placed. A failed implant does not mean you cannot have another — it means we need to understand why the first one failed and plan around that cause.
Common questions
Can a failing implant be saved? +
Frequently, yes — particularly if peri-implantitis is caught before extensive bone loss. Early evaluation is what determines the answer.
What does removal involve? +
Removal is usually straightforward and considerably less involved than placement was. It is done under local anesthesia, with sedation available.
How long before I can have a replacement? +
The site heals over three to four months. If bone grafting is required first, add a further three to six months before the new implant is placed.
How do I reduce the risk of it happening again? +
We identify the specific cause of the first failure and plan around it — better positioning, grafting to improve bone support, a night guard for excessive bite forces, or a stricter maintenance schedule.
Questions about your procedure?
Schedule an evaluation to find out what is happening and what options you have. Call (905) 479-7777.