Patient Info
Dental Implants
Cosmetic Dentistry
General Dentistry
Dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution to replace a missing tooth. The implant screw is inserted into the jawbone to replace the natural tooth root. Once the implant is placed, the jawbone will heal around and fuse with the implant through a process known as osseointegration. This is what gives the implant screw the strength to support a crown, bridge, or overdenture.
According to dental experts, millions of people have dental implants, and millions more get dental implants every year because of the benefits they offer over other solutions. On average, this tooth restoration has a 90% to 95% success rate over 20 to 25 years or more. For patients who have underlying health conditions or who smoke, the success rate is slightly lower, around 89% or less.
Unfortunately, this means that for healthy patients, the implant failure rate is around 5% to 10% and for those who smoke or have underlying health conditions, it is around 11% or higher. Dr. Byron Scott at Springhill Dental Health Center has the experience and expertise to ensure that you have the highest chances for long-term success with your dental implants.
The success rate for dental implants is high compared to other procedures, but there is a slight risk of implant failure. Research indicates that approximately 1 in 20 patients experiences implant failure at some point after getting implants.
The most common signs of implant failure include:
There are two types of dental implant failure: early and late. Early failure is typically due to problems with the procedure or the implant itself or problems while healing. Late failure is typically due to health factors and lifestyle habits. Some of the most common causes of implant failure include:
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of implant failure, it’s important to contact the dentist right away. In some cases, the implant may be saved with prompt treatment but in other cases, especially if left untreated, the implant may need to be removed. Some patients can have a new implant placed after healing, while others cannot. On average, replacement implants have a 71% success rate.
While not all implant failure is caused by the patient, there are a few things that can be done to reduce the risk of implant failure:
Any time you have a dental issue, it’s important to call for an appointment. If left untreated, dental issues can have detrimental impacts on your oral and overall health. If you have any of the following, you should call for help right away:
The office will schedule an appointment to have your implants checked. In some cases, the implant can be replaced. However, the existing implant will need to be extracted and you will need to heal for at least 6 months before the new one can be placed. If the failure was due to underlying health conditions, those will need to be addressed before replacement will be considered.
Unfortunately, replacement is not always possible and other treatment options will need to be considered. Patients who are missing a few teeth may consider a dental bridge or partial denture. Patients who are missing all of their teeth should consider complete dentures.
If you are missing one or more teeth, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Scott at Springhill Dental Health Center. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field and can ensure that you have the highest possible chance of success with your dental implants.
If you already have implants, schedule a check-up. He can monitor you for potential failure and help you learn ways to reduce your risk of failure. If your implants do fail, he will work with you to ensure the best possible resolution to restore your smile as quickly as possible.
Our clinic is conveniently located on Springhill Avenue in Mobile, AL. We are open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In addition to dental implants, we offer a variety of additional services for the whole family including general dentistry services/preventive services, as well as restorative dentistry services and cosmetic dentistry services. We work with many insurance providers and will help you maximize your benefits. If you do not have insurance or your coverage is not adequate, we will be happy to explain our financing options.
My visit was incredible. I had my “All on Four” appliances cleaned, and it was a painless and thorough experience. Dr. Scott and all his staff are very friendly. During the cleaning, Mary was gentle and let me know everything she was doing and how it would feel. She gave me tips on how to clean my implants/appliances better and gave me a small brush to do the underside more effectively. Dr. Scott and Mary suggest cleanings take place every 3 months so I will be back in December.
Dr. Byron Scott is a highly-trained and accomplished dentist. He attended The University of Alabama School of Dentistry and subsequently completed numerous Advanced Studies and Trainings. Dr. Scott is Board-Certified by The Academy of General Dentistry and has earned Mastership status (MAGD), an honor shared by only 1% of dentists. He has numerous memberships and associations, including Diplomate status with The American Board of Oral Implantology (D-ABOI) and The International Congress of Oral Implantologists (D-ICOI). Overall, Dr. Scott has dedicated his life and career to helping patients improve their oral health through expert dentistry. His goal is to help each patient keep their smile healthy, attractive, and comfortable for the duration of their lifetime.
