Dental implant removal

The procedure of implant removal at our clinic is a surgical intervention to extract an artificial root. An inserted structure may be rejected by the organism for a number of reasons. The risk of complications is minimal, but it cannot be ruled out. The decision to remove an implant is made by a dentist if treatment has not brought a positive outcome. This operation is performed under anaesthesia.

Reasons for implant removal

Dental implant removal is a last resort when an inflammatory process has spread to bone tissue. If mucosa is affected and the root is fixed, the doctor will prescribe treatment and drain pus from the gum. A high temperature, gum oedema, and pus discharge are all alerts indicating that disintegration may have started. After implantation, an artificial tooth removal surgery may be prescribed for the following reasons:

• The implant has not integrated - the structure has not integrated with the bone tissue during 3 to 6 months.
• Mobility.
• Peri-implantitis (tissue inflammation around the implant).
• The artificial root is fractured or cracked.
• Design features - wrong positioning or defects.

Causes of disintegration and peri-implantitis:

• Physiological factors: a weakened immune system, a damaged bone in the implantation region, exacerbation of chronic diseases, an allergy to the materials.
• Patient’s mistakes: when the patient has failed to follow the dentist’s recommendations after the surgery. The implant will have to be removed because of poor oral hygiene, excessive physical exertion, failure to take antibiotics, smoking, dental plaque which wasn’t timely removed.
• Doctor’s mistakes: poor quality instruments, equipment or artificial structures were used during the surgery. A wrongly sized crown puts too much pressure. A dental implant may also have to be removed if a prosthesis was placed prematurely before osseointegration had occurred. Other reasons include a wrong treatment strategy, wrong materials or not having bone grafting when it was necessary.

Complications may also result from inadequate and incomplete diagnostics performed before classic two-stage implantation.

Removal procedure

The surgery is divided into a few stages and is performed in one visit to the clinic:

1. Preparing the patient and anaesthesia.
2. Crown removal - the prosthesis is extracted carefully with special forceps avoiding its fracture.
3. Dissecting the gum to access the inserted structure and extracting it.
4. Treating the cavity with antiseptics, stopping bleeding and applying stitches.
5. Analyzing the rejected implant and inflamed cavity.
6. A course of antibacterial medication.

Root removal is a surgery, so the dentist will necessarily prescribe a rehabilitation course, during which all scheduled examinations must be attended.

Repeat Implantation

Repeat implantation is possible if an artificial root has been rejected. The doctor will identify the cause of the failure and select the correct tooth restoration strategy. If the rejection was due to severe peri-implantits, the doctor will:

• Prescribe a course of treatment.
• A few months of rehabilitation.
• Severe bone tissue loss. Osteoplasty to build up an adequate bone volume - 3-6 months.
• Classic two-stage implantation.

If the bone tissue loss is not significant, implantation with immediate loading will be suitable.

How to avoid dental implant removal

It is essential to choose a clinic which has up-to-date equipment and employs experienced doctors with high qualifications. The following rules will help minimize the risks:

• Do not damage the operating field - do not touch it with your hands or other objects or apply a brush.
• Attend the maintenance visit.
• Take the course of medication prescribed by the doctor.
• Abstain from bad habits for 10 days after the intervention: smoking or drinking alcohol.
• Minimize physical exertion during rehabilitation and limit workouts.
• Food: do not eat too hot, cold or hard food.
• Regular professional oral cleaning by a dentist - at least once every six months.
• Proper hygiene at home.

The patient should take care of their health properly and monitor the condition of the implant. If any alarming symptoms appear, visit the attending doctor immediately.

Contraindications

If the doctor has diagnosed a dental implant rejection, the patient should not agree to additional fixation or reinforcement of the existing structure. Treating the inflamed area around the implant and attempts to disinfect the root with an ultrasonic or laser device will not be effective.

The right decision is to replace the structure, making sure to determine the cause of rejection. After an examination of the extracted material, the doctor will be able to eliminate complications during the repeat implantation. It is not advised to insert a new structure if the following conditions are diagnosed:

• An allergic reaction to anaesthetic medication and implant components.
• During a bite correction process using braces.
• During the treatment of infectious and medical conditions of the mouth cavity and internal organs.
• Presence of benign and malignant tumours located in the facial area.
• Undergoing radiation therapy.
• Depression and exacerbation of mental disorders.
• Pregnancy and a lactation period.

Some contraindications are relative and will not cause complications from implantation after being treated.

At Axioma Dental Clinic, we will remove an artificial root quickly and painlessly, minimizing health risks for the patient. Efficient equipment and top class dental doctors - we invite you to a consultation.