I don’t know what to do. I’m on my third dental implant at the same spot and my dentist said he’ll only give it one more chance. I want to get it right this time. Here’s what’s going on and maybe you can tell me what I’m doing wrong. I certainly can’t figure it out. I had a dental implant placed. It snaped off after three days. I didn’t eat anything hard with it because I was kind of babying it and working my way up to harder things. The dentist offered to replace it for free but I needed bone grafting in order to have it placed. I did that. Then after the next implant procedure was done and waiting period over, I got the next crown. A month later it broke off. I was even more careful the second time but it still didn’t stick. What do I do? I’m just about to have the next bone grafting done.
Angela F.
Dear Angela,
I’m going to tell you up front you are definitely not the problem. I’m very sorry your dentist is putting you through this. There are some general reasons for dental implant failure:
- Infection
- Premature placement
- Cheap implants
- Improper Placement
Infection is the most common. Smokers are at the highest risk for this. You’d know if you had an infection so don’t worry about this one. The next option is premature placement. That’s when your dentist doesn’t give the implant enough time to integrate and build up bone structure around it. I don’t think this is your problem. This generally manifests by the implant coming loose and falling out. That’s not what yours is doing.
The most likely scenario for you is your dentist is using cheap implants. This is an example of when cheap doesn’t equate with affordable. A dental implant structure made in the United States will cost a dentist several hundred dollars. But, a dentist can get one made elsewhere for a few dollars. When they’re not properly made, they snap. Though, another reason for them to snap is improper placement. Either one is your dentist’s fault.
How to Get a Succesful Dental Implant
Your dentist should have clued in to what was going on after the first failure. Because he didn’t, I’m concerned. I don’t think it will matter if you have him do it another time. He won’t get it right. You’re best bet is to ask him for a full refund. He should give it to you. If he doesn’t, there are any number of qualified implant dentists that will back you up if you go to them for a second opinion.
I want you to look for a dentist with significant post-graduate implant training. For instance, Dr. Potts spent three years doing an internship at an implant institute. Have a dentist like that replace your implant for you, you’ll likely find you have a much better experience.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Potts.