If you want a dental implant, then your oral surgeon will inform you of all of the different risks and complications. You will also learn all about the osseointegration process, and how important it is to the health of your implant. If you want to know more about the possibility of failed osseointegration, why it happens, and how it can be avoided, keep reading. 

Failed Osseointegration

Failed osseointegration is when the dental implant fails to strongly attach to the jawbone where the device is implanted. This means that the implant root will remain slightly loose and will not retain the strength that it needs to ensure that you can bite and chew properly. And this may mean that the implant must be removed or replaced. 

Failed osseointegration can happen for a variety of reasons that include poor positioning, fracture or cracking of the jaw bone due to injury, reduced bone volume where the implant is secured, or bad habits and actions during the healing process. 

The good news is that many of the causes of failed osseointegration can be avoided now thorough pre-surgical planning and imaging, and other procedures like bone grafting and sinus lifts are completed to reduce the incidence of certain issues. However, you will still need to do your part to make sure that osseointegration can happen once the initial surgical procedure is a success.

Preventing Osseointegration Issues

The first thing you can do to make sure that your implant will strongly attach to your jawbone is to speak with your oral professional about the state of your jaw once the initial tests are completed. The dentist should be able to tell you about the density of the bone and any previous bone-loss issues that are noted. Also, the plan for surgery can be outlined.

Once the surgery is completed, you will absolutely need to avoid cigarette smoke as this will reduce the blood flow to the region, and this can actually cause a necrotic bone-death issue. Alcohol can increase the risk of infection and reduce blood flow to the region, too, so it should be avoided as well.

You will need to place very little to no pressure on the implant site so that new bone can form and to make sure that the bone is as dense as possible. You will need to eat foods that are good for you. A diet that contains soft and high protein foods is best as well as ones that are milk or calcium based.

Talk with dental implant services about other tips for osseointegration after your surgery.