Complications in implant dentistry

Loss of teeth can be associated with various causes, the most common among which are considered advanced caries, trauma, and aging. In such cases, an operation such as dental implantation has direct indications. 

During the operation, a titanium element is introduced into the jaw bone, which serves as the basis for attaching the upper part of the artificial tooth with a crown. Dental implants have a reputation as the most effective method of prosthetics, which constantly increases its popularity among patients.

Modern dentistry has managed to achieve such a high percentage of successful operations in the field of implant dentistry that complications occur in less than 5% of cases. However, unfortunately, it is still impossible to completely exclude the possibility of complications and risks.

Complications characteristic of dental implantology

The adverse consequences of dental implants can occur at different periods of treatment: during the procedure, six months, 3–5 years and even 10 years after installing implants. Immediately after the implantation operation, the following complications may develop:

• severe pain caused by the development of inflammation and swelling
• hemorrhages associated with the features of wound healing, as well as the work of the coagulation system of the patient
• discrepancy of seams
• development  of inflammation in the area of ​​surgery, usually associated with the penetration of infection (the cause may be the presence of infection in the nose, larynx, gums at the time of surgery)

If the complications after implanting teeth did not manifest themselves in the immediate postoperative period, the patient should still strictly follow the recommendations given to him by the implantologist, which contributes to the normal engraftment of the implant. Otherwise, the following complications may develop:

• peri-implantitis (inflammation of the tissues around the implant), causing progressive destruction of the bone tissue surrounding the implant
• implant rejection, which can be caused by overheating of bone tissue during surgery, for example, during drilling (his complication leads to the removal of the implant since bone tissue is simply not able to grow normally around it)
• inflammation around the implant, which occurs if the rules of oral hygiene are not observed

• the proliferation of the mucous membrane in the area of ​​the implant (this complication is eliminated with the help of therapeutic, hygienic and surgical measures)
• sinus inflammation, sinusitis, that occurs in case of damage to the maxillary sinus floor with subsequent development of inflammation, provided that an implant is installed in the immediate vicinity. The causes of damage can be peri-implantitis or an increase in the mobility of the implant, mechanically injuring the floor of the maxillary sinus. Typically, treatment for this complication involves the removal of the implant.
• damage to the prosthesis and the implant if the recommendations and the rules for using them are not followed. If the denture is damaged, it is simply replaced. If the root implant is damaged, it is necessary to first remove its remains, and then make a decision about a possible replacement.

When to Suspect Complications

Normal manifestations after surgery are:

• Pain. Pain is the norm for 2-3 days after surgery. To alleviate the condition, patients are prescribed painkillers.
• Edema. Edema appears after 2-3 hours and disappears on 5-7 days. You can reduce it by applying ice.
• Slight bleeding. Slight bleeding in the first days after surgery.
• Temporary numbness. Numbness can remain for 3-5 hours as a consequence of anesthesia.
• Temperature. The temperature may rise to 37 ° C and remain so for three days.

Patients need to know some phenomena that can happen during the procedure are not normal but associated with the insufficient experience of the surgeon and incorrect calculation of the size of the implants. These include: 

• Damage to the nerves of the lower jaw. The consequences are numbness of the part of the face that goes away after several weeks without treatment.
• Damage to the maxillary sinuses, which can lead to sinusitis and a runny nose.

This is why it is so important to pay great attention to the choice of a clinic and implantologist.

Complications for Dental Implant during pregnancy?

Complications are fraught with the rejection of dental implants during pregnancy. Undesirable consequences can also occur if the rules of dental therapy have been violated: for example, a pregnant woman has prescribed drugs with appropriate contraindications or drugs that adversely affect the fetus. Here are the possible adverse consequences:

•         Immunity during pregnancy becomes vulnerable, so that an infection from a diseased tooth, which was previously limited to the oral cavity, risks becoming generalized and goes into sepsis
•         Intrauterine infection of the fetus due to untreated caries
•         If dental treatment was performed during pregnancy with anesthesia in the first trimester, this is fraught with abnormalities in fetal development
•         Preeclampsia – late toxicosis
•         Premature birth

How to avoid complications during dental implants

Complications that occur after implant dentistry are divided into two categories:

1. Complications associated with medical errors
2. Complications associated with the negligence of patients regarding doctors’ recommendations

The first group of issues is excluded by the competent choice of the clinic that:

• employs experienced professionals
• orders implants of trusted manufacturers
• uses certified materials for prosthetics and advanced equipment
• proposes an adequate cost of implantation, which reflects the price of materials and labor
• respects sterility and other principles of medical hygiene 

A doctor and a patient have the power to take measures to reduce the risk of complications. This requires a thorough diagnosis aimed at identifying indications and contraindications for dental implants. If there are indications and there are no contraindications, the occurrence of complications is minimal. Thorough preoperative preparation should also be carried out, which includes premedication, preparing the patient for the upcoming operation, observing aseptic and antiseptic conditions, etc. 

In the framework of reducing the risk of complications, the patient’s behavior in the postoperative period is also vital. In particular, it is necessary to strictly adhere to all the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor. This can help avoid the manifestation of complications after installing dental implants.