In September, I received four dental implants for $1850 each. I was supposed to receive three more implants. But I have stopped the process because two of the five implants came out the five days after surgery. Should I be charged for two implants that failed? Is this a common occurrence or do I have good reason to distrust my dentist? Thank you. Sheldon from GA
Sheldon,
Authority Dental estimates that dental implants have a 5% failure rate. And most failures occur over months or years—not days. Half of your dental implants failed. You should not have to pay your dental for failed implants.
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?
Dental implants fail due to infection, shortcuts, cheap implant fixtures, premature restoration, and sometimes health reasons.
- Infection – Poor-fitting implant fixtures allows bacteria to grow around the implants and cause an infection.
- Diagnostic shortcuts – Successful dental implants require 3-D CT scans to reveal your bone structure and surrounding areas. The scans show if you need bone grafting and where to place your implants for the best results.
- Cheap implant fixtures – Low-quality dental implants don’t last. And they can cause infection.
- Incorrect implant placement – Implants placed in the wrong location can loosen and fail.
- Premature restoration – If a dentist places dental crowns or dentures on implants before the implants fuse with the jawbone, they will fail.
- Smoking – Smoking restricts your blood flow and inhibits the healing process. Healing time will be slower, or dental implants might have.
- Medical condition – If you have uncontrolled diabetes or a medical condition that decreases your ability to heal, it can affect the success of your dental implants.
What to Do When Your Dental Implants Fail
When your dentist plans carefully, a dental implant fuses with the bone and anchors a crown
When dental implants fail, it’s wise to get a second opinion. Look for a specialist or a dentist with a fellowship in a dental implant organization like the International Congress of Oral Implantologists or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. If two of your four implants failed on the fifth day, you’re at risk of losing the remaining implants.
Ask your current dentist for your dental records and x-rays before scheduling an appointment with an implant specialist. Although your current dentist should willingly refund you for failed dental implants, other steps you can take include:
- Ask your new dentist to communicate with your former dentist in requesting a refund.\
- Report your current dentist to the state dental board
- Hire a malpractice attorney
We hope that your dentist will promptly refund you without resistance. Best wishes on your dental implant recovery. We hope you can soon smile with relief.
In Baton Rouge, you can get a dental implant second opinion from Steven Brooksher, DDS. Dr. Brooksher is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
