I got four dental implants for my lower denture in 2017. Since that time, two implants have broken. The second implant broke two months ago. I am waiting for a new implant but have decided to investigate this issue and try to prevent future breaks. I am not sure where to begin. What should I do other than follow my dentist’s treatment plan? – Thank you. Jeremiah from Plano
Jeremiah,
We encourage you to get a second opinion, including an exam and 3-D CT scan, to determine the cause of the implant breaks. We will explain the importance of carefully selecting an implant dentist.
Why Do Dental Implants Break?
A dental implant may break for several reasons, including:
- Inferior implant components
- Misplacement of implant root forms
- Replacement teeth location and instability
- Lack of jawbone volume to support the implants
1. Inferior Implant Components
Inexpensive implant components may save you and the dentist money, but cheap parts can break, rust, or loosen. If a dentist replaces broken implants with low-quality fixtures, the new root forms can break also.
2. Misplacement of Dental Implants
Skilled implant dentists take 3-D CT scans of your oral anatomy and use a surgical guide for precise placement. Precise placement helps dental implants and the jawbone fuse and remain stable. Otherwise, chewing, biting, and grinding pressure can cause the implant to loosen.
3. Replacement Teeth Location and Instability
When a denture is not correctly secured to implants or in the wrong location, you can experience a misaligned bite or uneven pressure on your teeth. The results are loose or broken dental implants.
4. Lack of Jawbone Volume
The jawbone is the foundation for dental implants, so if you lack enough bone volume, the implants can break. Skilled implant dentists use 3-D CT scans to measure bone volume and determine whether you need a graft
A trained implant dentist will ensure that your replacement dental implant will be a quality fixture in healthy bone. We recommend looking for dentists with extensive post-graduate training and experience in implantology. Schedule one or two appointments for a second opinion.
Dr. Gilberto Tostado, a San Antonio, Texas prosthodontist, sponsors this post.