I couldn’t be more frustrated that I am now. Last March (2014) I got 3 dental implants. In September of last year I had problems with one of them. The oral surgeon tried to save it but could not so it was extracted. We gave it 6 months and replaced it, but the same implant had to be removed 3 months ago. Now we are playing watch and wait but I am not sure why. Can I just go ahead and ask that the missing tooth be replaced with a dental bridge or should I continue to wait and see if I can get another implant? How long would I normally have to wait before the surgeon can tell if another implant will work? Mark H.

Mark – Your question can only be answered by getting a second opinion from a skilled implant dentist. Do you know why the implant failed? Was the failure due to the implant fixture, improper surgical placement, or some other reason?

An experienced implant dentist will examine your dental records, implant site, diagnostic studies, and medical history to determine the cause of the implant failure and whether or not it can be prevented in the future.

If you have healthy teeth on either side of the missing one, they can be prepared to accommodate a dental bridge. Keep in mind that the teeth that hold the dental bridge will need to be shaved down so that dental crowns can fit over them.

First, find out if there is good probability for you to receive a new, successful dental implant. Weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision on which treatment option you prefer.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.