My dental implants failed in five days

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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

Diagram of the phases of a dental implant for a comparison to a partial denture.

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.

4 Clues to Recognizing When Dental Implants Are Too Cheap

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The cost of dental implants varies depending on where you live in the country, as well as the fees of the dentist or oral surgeon. On average, a single implant can cost $1500-$3000.

When Are Dental Implants Too Cheap?

Your dental implants might be too cheap if the dentist:

  1. Doesn’t review your health history and just schedules you for implants
  2. Only takes basic x-rays of your teeth without doing a 3-D CT scan
  3. Tells you about steps he or she will skip to make implants more affordable
  4. Has only completed a few implant cases

Where to Start

You can call dental offices or schedule consultations with two or three implant dentists. As you compare and record the costs from each dentist, find out what services are included in the prices you are quoted. Surgery (including bone grafting, if needed), lab fees, the type and quality of implant fixtures, implant crowns, sedation, and other services factor into the total cost.

Getting the Right Perspective on Affordable Dental Implants

If you want to receive quality implants that last, consider looking for a competitive price from a highly skilled implant dentist. Avoid searching for cheap dental implants. Ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s dental implant cases.

Diagram of snap-on dentures. Dental implants are in the lower jawbone, and a denture with attachments in the base is hovering above the gumline.

A snap-on denture is an affordable option for dental implants

Ask for information on financing, payment plans, and other ways that each dentist makes implants affordable for you. If you need multiple implants, consider having the work done in phases as your budget allows. If all of your teeth are missing, implant overdentures are an affordable way to stabilize your dentures and improve their function.

Details that Matter

Regardless of the cost of your dental implants, ensure your dentist has received advanced, post-graduate training implantology. Successful implant dentists adhere to a strict process for positive outcomes. Your dentist’s process should include the following:

  • Thoroughly reviews your health history to ensure you’re a candidate.
  • Uses 3-D CT scans to accurately capture your oral anatomy and surrounding structures. This ensures accurate implant placement.
  • Uses high-quality implant fixtures.
  • Provides quality dental crowns for the implants. The results will look like your natural teeth.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge, LA implant dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher. Dr. Brooksher is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), the world’s largest dental implant organization and largest provider of continuing dental implant education.