Late Dental Implant Overloading And The Prevention Of Complications

Dentist Blog

Everyone hopes for successful dental implants that will last decades. And, the likelihood of experiencing this sort of success will increase quite a bit if you make it through the first part of the implant process. However, late failure is a concern and it may occur due to a problem called overloading. Find out more about what this is and how you can work to prevent it.

What Is Overloading?

Overloading is the term that is used to describe what happens to an implant when it is placed under too much pressure or stress. Your implant tooth is far more likely to become overloaded during the initial stages of implantation. However, it can occur over time in a way that the implant is constantly placed under too much stress. And, this can cause the implant root to break free and loosen. Jaw fractures around the implant are possible as well and you may crack or break the artificial implant tooth. 

There are a few things that can lead to long-term overloading problems. These include the grinding of the teeth at night, the constant chewing of hard objects, and the degradation of the gums and the jaw around the implant. Gum infections are an issue that can decrease the load ability of the implant, resulting in overloading from otherwise normal biting pressure and stress.

Overloading can also occur due to the poor positioning of the implant caused by the movement of the teeth around the device. This creates an occlusal problem that shifts the bite, which can place more pressure on the implant tooth.

How Can The Problem Be Prevented?

Overloading problems are prevented through a few different practices. If you notice that the teeth are shifting or moving, then clear or metal braces can be used to nudge the teeth back into position. The implant cannot be moved once it is secured in the jaw bone, so it is used as an anchor point most of the time and the natural teeth will be shifted around it. 

If you have a problem with grinding, then a nightguard will be made for you to keep direct and constant pressure off the implant tooth. And, extensive gum treatments, including deep pocket cleaning will be scheduled to help eliminate infection issues. 

If the jaw has deteriorated a small amount, then your diet may be adjusted to increase strength and stimulation techniques may be used to increase the density and bulk of the bone.  

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18 August 2020

To Tell the Tooth: A Dental Blog

Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.