Infected Dental Implants

Of the American adults between the ages of 35 to 44, almost 70% have lost at least one permanent tooth. The reasons can include tooth decay, gum disease, or traumatic accident, but they all can experience improvements from the addition of a dental implant. Not only are dental implants very helpful to the people who have missing teeth, but they are relatively easy dental procedures that make a huge impact. About 500,000 have this procedure each year in the United States and the success rate is over 94% for dental implants over the long term. While complications and infections are rare, they are possible. It is a surgery and there are risks that come with any time you cut into the body. Here are the most common signs you are experiencing an infection after your implant procedure:

  1. Pain and Trouble Chewing - After any dental procedure, some pain is normal especially with the invasive nature of the dental implant process. The pain should be able to be controlled with an over-the-counter medication or a prescription medication given by the dentist. If your pain spreads or does not get better, then you will want to talk to the dentist.
  2. Fever, Redness, Swelling - Again, after a surgery it is normal to have some redness and swelling at the surgical site of your dental implant. It is problematic when the swelling does not decrease, the redness does not go away, or you develop a fever, these could be an indication that you have an infection.
  3. Consistent Bad Taste in Your Mouth - Infections in your mouth are a result of a buildup of bacteria and debris in areas where you are unable to clean easily. The surgical site makes for a great home for the bacteria to grow and it can leak into your mouth leaving a bad taste. You may even have bad breath as a result.
  4. Leaking Pus and Bleeding - When your body is fighting an infection, it uses red blood cells and white blood cells to destroys the invaders. The blood and pus are the large amounts of red and white blood cells. If the bleeding persists beyond a few days from your surgery, you likely have an infection present.
  5. Loose Implant - The screw-like post that is implanted in your jaw and screwed into place in the bone, resulting in a stable base for your dental implant. The implant should not move after it has healed in place because it fused with the bone. If you notice that the implant is loose, wiggling or has fallen out, your body is rejecting the implant. You may need to have another procedure to repair it and to prevent possible bone loss.

If you have noticed that you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you may have an infection as a result of your dental implant. Act immediately. Call the dentist, make an appointment and avoid more serious complications that can happen if you wait.

Medicare and Dental Implants