As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with implants. The greatest single concern with implant placement is impingement on the mandibular nerve, which is found in the lower back jaw. Damaging this nerve can cause a permanent numbness of that side of the lower lip. By carefully evaluating the position of the nerve with x-rays orSim/plant, the risk of injury is very small and seldom occurs.
Another complication of implant placement is infection, an unusual occurrence that generally develops within six months of placement and may cause failure. We usually do not know why the implant fails, but it is thought it may be due to bacteria that were already present in the bone before the implant was placed. Fortunately most failed implants can be replaced with another implant, once the site has healed. The success rate of implants reported in the dental literature ranges from 92%-97%, depending on the study. Implants can successfully be placed in adults of any age, although certain health problems may contraindicate their use. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful review of your dental and medical history.
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