Dental implants are the most reliable form of tooth replacement. They are the only option that mimics the aesthetic appearance of a real tooth as well as its function within the jaw. As a result of their complete integration into the jaw, dental implants have a 98% success rate with appropriate care. However, there is still a small chance that something could go wrong. A break in the dental implant itself is one possibility. 

Can You Break a Dental Implant?

A broken dental implant is actually pretty rare as long as you are following your Los Angeles periodontist instructions. Following a regular oral hygiene routine and avoiding overly hard foods that can even harm your real teeth are the easiest ways to ensure that the post and abutment of your dental implant lasts for the rest of your life. However, breaks can and do happen. 

Where Is a Dental Implant Most Likely to Break?

Most breaks occur as a result of excess force on the crown, which is the part of the implant that you see above the gumline. You may damage the crown itself or you may cause a fracture in the abutment. The abutment is a small piece of the dental implant that connects the tooth-like crown to the post that anchors the implant in your jaw. 

A break to the crown will be quite noticeable, as you’ll be able to feel it with your tongue and even see it in the mirror. However, a broken abutment can be a little harder to pinpoint. If you notice that your dental implant feels a bit “off” while chewing or talking, then you’ll want to pay a visit to your periodontist’s office. They’ll do a physical examination and perform an x-ray to check on the status of your implant. 

When Is a Dental Implant Most Likely to Break?

Although it is possible for your dental implant to break at any time given the right circumstances, you are most likely to have a break at two points. The first is in the early stages of placement. Your jawbone needs time to fully integrate the post of your dental implant. This osseointegration gives the implant the stability it needs to handle the work of being a tooth, but it takes time. Your periodontist will likely advise you to be very careful with the implant for at least a few weeks until they are confident that the new prosthetic tooth is well-supported. If you ignore their advice, you’re more likely to experience damage to the abutment or even the post. 

The second time you’re likely to experience a break is 10-15 years after the dental implant’s placement. At that point, the crown of your dental implant will almost certainly need replacing. It experiences all of the wear and tear of chewing and eating, so it makes sense that it breaks down a little over time. Of course if you don’t follow a normal oral hygiene routine, then the crown is more likely to fail at an earlier interval. 

Making a Decision

Despite the small risk and eventual need to replace the crown, there is a reason that most periodontists suggest dental implants for eligible patients. In comparison to both partial dentures and dental bridges, dental implants offer patients more in terms of their long-term health. By drilling directly into the jawbone, a dental implant ensures that the bone will remodel normally as you age, preserving your jaw and your facial structure. Fortunately, what used to be a rather long process, can be modified to literally give you back your smile by fully replacing your tooth in just one day with fast dental implants.