I have paid for six dental implants. I’ve only had them for a couple of weeks and already four of them have fallen out. I have some questions. Seeing as I have already paid for these, should I get a refund on the ones that have failed? I also am concerned about the ones that are left. Do you think they will fall out as well? Is there a way I can still get dental implants or do I have to find a different option?
Bruce
Dear Bruce,
Getting a refund is the very least you should expect. I actually want you to ask for something completely different, which we will go over in a moment. First, you should know this is not normal. In most cases, the failure rate for dental implants is about 5%, even then it would take more than a year for that to happen. Your dentist has a 60% failure rate in just two weeks. I’ll tell you right now that I do not recommend you hold out much hope for the remaining two implants. All that being said, it is likely you can still have dental implants. I just don’t think you can with this particular dentist.
The first thing I want you to do is see another dentist and find out why these dental implants failed. Go see a dentist with a lot of successful dental implant experience.
Reasons For Dental Implant Failure
- Infection at the implant site. This often happens because of poorly fitting implants but can happen for other reasons as well.
- Inadequate bone support. There is a solution for this and if the dentist does proper diagnostics, they would know ahead of time that some bone grafting is necessary.
- Substandard fixtures purchased overseas. The implant dentures we use in the states have to undergo high standards. Because of that, they cost more. Some dentists, trying to increase their profits will purchase the less expensive ones that you can get from other countries. Unfortunately, that sometimes means the fixtures will not hold up.
- Placing the dentures or dental crowns on your implant fixtures before there was time for the bone to integrate with the implants. This is known as premature loading.
Where to Go From Here
Rather than asking for a refund, I want you to ask for this dentist to pay for you to have your implants placed by another dentist. This will include the cost of the bone grafting that you will now definitely need as a result of your implants failing. But, it needs to be a dentist of your choosing.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.
