Dental Implant Failure & Salvage Houston
Saving Your Replacement Teeth & Your Smile

Dental implants have a remarkably high success rate —over 95 percent! However, complications do sometimes arise with this treatment that jeopardizes its long-term viability. If you ever suspect that you are suffering from a failed dental implant in Houston, it is vital that you seek help from a qualified oral surgeon as soon as possible. They may be able to fix the problem and enable you to continue enjoying the full benefits of your restored smile via dental implant salvage services.
Why Choose Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston for Dental Implant Salvage?
- Advanced Diagnostic Technology for Precise Outcomes
- Team of Oral Surgeons with Unmatched Credentials
- Computer-Guided Dental Implant Placement
Why Do Dental Implants Fail?

The most common culprit behind failed dental implants is an infection called peri-implantitis, which occurs when bacteria attack the tissue around an implant. Eventually, the damage can become so severe that the mouth is no longer able to adequately support the implants. Poor oral hygiene is often a big contributing factor to peri-implantitis.
Other reasons why a dental implant might fail include:
- A medical condition that affects the patient’s ability to heal after surgery
- Insufficient bone to support the implant
- Severe physical trauma to the tissue around an implant
Symptoms of Failed Dental Implants

Dental implant failure can occur at any time. Early failure happens soon after an implant is placed, while late failure can happen months, years, or even decades after the original procedures. Therefore, you should always keep an eye out for signs that something is wrong with one of your dental implants in Houston, including:
- Severe or unusual pain. After your initial healing period, your implants should feel comfortable in your mouth. If they do not, you should see an oral surgeon right away.
- Signs of infection. This includes things like pus, red and swollen gums, receding gums, and persistent bad breath.
- Difficulty chewing. Your implants should enable you to eat virtually anything. Problems in this area are a big red flag.
- An implant feels loose. In some cases, this is a problem with the implant’s restoration. In other cases, the implant itself requires attention.
How Dental Implant Salvage Works

If you notice any signs of implant failure, make an appointment with your oral surgeon right away. The longer a problem persists, the less likely they will be able to address it with conservative treatments.
When you visit them, they will determine if it is possible to save an existing implant. This might be the case if an infection is present but has not had time to cause severe damage. Strong antibiotics along with changes to your oral hygiene routine may be able to kill harmful bacteria and allow the tissue around the implant to heal.
In other cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to help your smile regain its health and function. Your oral surgeon in Houston may simply remove the implant and give your body some time to heal. When sufficient tissue regeneration has occurred and there is no sign of infection, it may be possible to replace an implant. If severe bone loss occurred, they might remove the implant and perform a bone graft. After your body has accepted the new bone, your oral surgeon may be able to place a new implant.
LAPIP™ Protocol for Dental Implant Salvage

The LAPIP protocol is a specially designed procedure to treat peri-implantitis, one of the leading causes of dental implant failure, quickly, effectively, and less invasively. This procedure involves utilizing a special dental laser to reach into the deep pockets around the dental implants, vaporizing bacteria, any corrosion of the dental implants, and effortlessly removing severely damaged tissue. The goal is for the bone to adhere with the clean surface of the dental implant to protect it and ultimately preserve the dental implants.
The LAPIP protocol boasts an incredibly high success rate—94 percent of patients being treated for failing dental implants with this technique were able to minimize their pocket depth, which is the origin of the infection. One of the best parts is that no invasive procedure is necessary, allowing you to benefit from a much faster and more comfortable recovery process.
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