If you've recently begun the process of getting dental implants, you know that the timeline is a bit longer than most other procedures. There are several waiting periods as your implants are installed to ensure that your body is responding well and increase the likelihood of a successful installation. While failure and complications are rare, it is good to be aware of what could happen so you're not surprised.

Before getting too worried about complications, it is important to note that 95% of dental implants are successful. Of the 5% that do fail on the first try, 90% of reinstallations are successful. That means there is only a 0.5% chance your dental implant will fail after a second attempt, and there are steps you can take to minimize the chance of failure. The most common complications are

• Infection. As with any procedure, there is a chance of infection at the surgical site, but this is minimized with good oral hygiene.
• Loosening. The first step of a successful implant is good osseointegration, or fusion with your jaw. This could fail due to poor circulation or lack of bone mass.
• Swelling. Swelling after the procedure is not necessarily a sign of failure, but should be monitored.
  

Your dentist will decide whether you are a good candidate for implants based on your age, bone mass, and health conditions. You may be asked to do one or more of these things prior to your procedure and while your implant is healing to decrease the risk of failure:

• Closely monitor chronic conditions. Smokers and diabetics have increased risk of complications due to poorer circulation.
• Stay away from hard and sticky foods. These foods can cause your implant to loosen in the early stages of the procedure.
• Use antibacterial rinses. Keeping the implant site clean reduces your risk of infection.