Failures in Implant Dentistry

Although dental implants have become a predictable and effective modality for the treatment of patients with missing teeth, their use is associated with complications. Such complications can be biologic, technical, mechanical, or aesthetic and may compromise implant outcomes to various degrees. To limit failure, the astute practitioner must spend a considerable amount of time on diagnosis. Risk assessment is critical when treatment planning patients for implant-supported restorations. The practitioner must look at a myriad of factors which may ultimately influence the longevity of the treatment that is planned and executed. Risks may include but are not limited to This chapter will discuss the issues that lead to failure with dental implants in different situations from single tooth replacement to edentulous arch restoration. Each version of a failure or complication can differ when a less-than-ideal outcome occurs. Further issues of aesthetics and functional outcomes can present less than satisfying treatments. The main categories that will be described are as follows: