My dentist placed my All-on-4 implants in January. I have kept a strict diet and followed all the post-op instructions. In late March, I began to feel soreness in my gums on the left side. The discomfort is worse, and I fear that at least one of the implants is failing. I knew something was wrong, so I scheduled an appointment with my dentist. He asked me to give it two weeks and return to the office if something irritated the implant. I am scheduled to see the dentist next week. I don’t know what to expect with this dental visit, but I am concerned that my dentist doesn’t know what to do. If I don’t get satisfactory answers from my dentist, can I switch to another dentist in the middle of treatment, or might I regret it? Thank you. Shane from Amityville, NY

Shane – Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry in Sugar Land, Texas, about your All-on-4 dental implants.

Can You Switch Dentists for All-on-4 Implants?

You can switch dentists in the middle of All-on-4 dental implants, but choose your new dentist carefully. Look for a dentist with post-graduate implant training and experience. A dentist must take a 3-D CT scan to examine your bone and surrounding tissue to identify the cause of your discomfort.

What Can Cause All-on-4 Dental Implant Failure?

According to an August 2022 article published by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, All-on-4 (and other) dental implant failure usually occurs due to these reasons:

• Injury – An impact on your mouth or a tooth injury from repetitive stress can weaken the bone around an implant and cause discomfort. It takes about 18 months for the bone to become strong enough to chew hard or sticky foods, so avoiding them is essential.
• Lack of thorough oral hygiene – Without a diligent hygiene routine, bacteria can collect around the implant, leading to gum inflammation and irritation.
• Systemic health – Uncontrolled diabetes, auto-immune diseases, or inflammatory conditions can challenge healing.

Schedule All-on-4 Implants Consultations

Schedule consultations with at least two skilled implant dentists before choosing a new dentist for your implant denture. Expect an exam and diagnostic studies to determine your options.

Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Thomas provides patients with some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.