Can Dental Implants Be Removed?
While dental implants are intended to be a permanent solution to missing teeth, they can and should be removed in certain circumstances. Infection, implant failure, fracture, and improper placement are common reasons to remove a dental implant.
If your dental implant is loose or painful, it is essential to entrust your care to a qualified oral surgeon. They will determine if an implant can be saved, or if it’s best to remove it and treat any related issues before considering alternate tooth replacement options.
As a leading provider of dental implants, the team at Bergen Oral Surgery provides advanced care for implants from start to finish—even when they need to be removed. Our dual degree oral surgeons offer expert guidance and care to patients who may be concerned about complications or discomfort with their dental implants.
In this article, we’ll explore several topics:
- Dental implants are designed to be permanent but can be removed in certain situations.
- Common reasons include infection, failed integration with bone, or mechanical issues.
- Removal requires a skilled oral surgeon and may involve specialized technicians
- Recovery is usually manageable, and replacement options are available.
- Bergen Oral Surgery’s dual degree oral surgeons provide expert care for complex cases.
What Should You Know About Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a long-term replacement for missing teeth and surgically implanted in the jawbone using a titanium rod. Implants are designed to look and function just like natural teeth and intended to be a permanent replacement.
When placed by a qualified oral surgeon, dental implants have a 95% success rate. Long-lasting and durable, they rarely need replacement, though the crown, or visible tooth-like part of the implant, may need to be replaced after several years of use and wear.
While the rate of failure for dental implants is low, it’s not impossible. When discomfort, a loose implant, or bite issues indicate a problem with the implant, patients may wonder, “can dental implants be removed?”
Read more: Who are Good Candidates for Dental Implants?
Is It Possible to Remove Dental Implants?
While it’s not common, dental implants can be removed. Removal of dental implants typically occurs due to implant failure, infection, or structural issues in the jawbone.
Removing dental implants isn’t as simple as pulling a tooth, even if the implants are loose. Dental implants should only be removed by a qualified oral surgeon to prevent further damage to the jaw and gums.
Why Would You Need Dental Implant Removal?
Implant failure, infection, or placement issues are three reasons that may require removal of a dental implant. These conditions can prevent the implant from integrating into the jawbone and cause discomfort and pain around the implant site.
Read more: What Causes Dental Implant Failure?
Infection or Peri-Implantitis
Per-implantitis, or infection of the tissues around an implant, is one of the leading causes of dental implant failure and removal. Peri-implantitis can impact both the hard and soft tissues surrounding the implant, leading to infection and bone loss that compromises the stability of the implant.
Good hygiene is essential to prevent peri-implantitis. Water picks and alcohol-free mouthwash can help to keep the area around the implant clean and free of infection.
Failed Osseointegration
Osseointegration is a natural process that fuses the titanium screw to the jaw, securing the implant in bone. Once osseointegration has occurred, the implant becomes permanently fixed in the jawbone.
Osseointegration can fail to occur for a number of reasons, including gum disease, teeth grinding, and the use of tobacco. Studies indicate that smokers have a 140.2% higher risk of failed osseointegration than non-smokers.
Conditions that can impact bone health and jeopardize osseointegration process include:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Gingivitis (gum disease)
- Osteoporosis
- Some antidepressant medications
- Teeth grinding
Read more: What is the Osseointegration of Dental Implants?
Mechanical or Placement Issues
Improper positioning, bone loss, or implant fractures can also result in the removal of dental implants.
When an implant is not properly placed, it can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Implant failure due to lack of bone structure
- Damage to the nerves or sinuses
- Bite misalignment
Bone loss around the implant, whether due to improper placement or decay, can also cause the implant to fail, requiring removal and, if possible, replacement. While implants are made of titanium in order to be durable and long-lasting, they can break due to manufacturing defects and pressure from teeth grinding or misalignment.
The Dental Removal Procedure
The process for how to remove a dental implant requires surgery, and should only be completed by a qualified oral surgeon.
Dental implant extraction includes several steps:
- Evaluation: A qualified oral surgeon will assess the implant and determine whether it can be saved or if removal is the best option.
- Imaging: Using advanced imaging technology like Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), your oral surgeon will map out the implant and any nerves or sinus tissues around it. This improves their precision and reduces the risk of damaging the nerves or sinuses.
- Anesthesia: The use of anesthesia helps to ensure that patients remain comfortable and pain-free throughout the dental implant removal.
- Surgical removal: Using a special tool called a trough bur, your oral surgeon will carefully separate the implant from the bone. Once the implant is loose, it can be pulled out of its position.
- Aftercare: Some soreness is normal, but should be managed with prescribed pain medications or over-the-counter acetaminophen. Patients should apply gentle pressure with gauze to control bleeding and use ice packs to reduce swelling. Stick to soft foods, stay hydrated with cool beverages, and avoid strenuous activities, smoking, hard or tough foods, and alcohol.
It is important to follow all recommendations before and after the dental implant extraction procedure to reduce the risk of complications, especially if you experienced any infection or inflammation prior to removal. Full healing of the implant site after removal typically takes 4-6 months.
Learn more about Dental Implant Recovery.
Alternatives After Dental Implant Removal
When removing a dental implant, it is important to consider tooth replacement options as soon as possible. Failure to replace the missing tooth and implant can lead to bone loss, problems with the surrounding teeth, and bite misalignment. Replacement planning is an important part of any dental implant removal process.
A bone graft helps to rebuild bone volume during healing, preparing the site for a possible future implant while also stabilizing the surrounding teeth. Bone grafting can be performed during the implant removal process to reduce healing time.
Once the tissues have fully healed, your oral surgeon may recommend the placement of a new dental implant. In some cases, alternative restoration options like bridges or partial dentures may offer better outcomes. Every situation is different; a qualified oral surgeon like the team at Bergen Oral Surgery can help you understand all your options and choose the best path forward.
Why Choose Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for Dental Implants
Complications with dental implants may be rare, but that makes it even more important to trust your care to a qualified oral surgeon. At Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our team includes dual-degree surgeons with advanced training in both medicine and dentistry. This expertise allows us to address even the most complex cases with compassionate, holistic care.
Our practice has been serving Bergen County with patient-centered expert oral care for more than 70 years. Our four convenient locations in Franklin Lakes, Hackensack, Ridgewood, and Westwood have received a combined 2,000+ Google reviews—and an average rating of 4.9 stars.
If you’re concerned about your dental implants, don’t wait to reach out!
Personalized, gentle, comprehensive patient care is our number one priority.
Dental Implants (FAQ)
Is Dental Implant Removal Painful?
During implant removal, our team uses anesthesia to keep patients relaxed and comfortable. Mild soreness after the removal process is normal, and typically manageable with medication.
How Long Does it Take to Remove a Dental Implant?
Most procedures to remove dental implants are completed within 30-60 minutes. In rare cases, a complex removal may take longer.
Can a New Implant Be Placed After Removal?
It is often possible to place a new dental implant after removal. The timing of a replacement implant depends on factors like the presence of infection, bone density, and overall health. Bone grafting may be required before a new implant can be placed, and can be completed during the dental implant extraction procedure.
What Happens if You Don’t Replace a Removed Implant?
Replacement planning is an important part of dental implant removal. If a missing tooth is not replaced with an implant or alternative restoration option, patients may experience bone loss, shifting teeth, bite misalignment, and damage to the surrounding teeth.
