Failed Implant Treatment in Los Angeles, CA

A dental implant is supposed to be a permanent solution, so when one starts to loosen, ache, or pull away from the gumline, it can feel like a setback you didn’t expect to happen. Many of the patients we see in this position had their implant placed years earlier at a general dentist’s office or another practice, and they are now searching for someone who can tell them honestly what went wrong and what it will take to fix it.

Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center works with patients throughout Los Angeles who need a second opinion after a failing or failed implant, and our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons focus specifically on the complex diagnostic and surgical work that implant revision requires. Since we specialize in dental implants rather than general dentistry, we are equipped to identify the underlying cause of failure and rebuild a stable foundation before any new restoration goes in.

Why Dental Implants Fail

Implant failure seldom comes down to one single issue. Infection around the implant, known as peri-implantitis, is one of the most common culprits, and it slowly breaks down the bone and gum tissue that hold the implant in place. Poor osseointegration, which happens when the implant never properly fuses to the jawbone in the first place, is another frequent cause, along with implants that were placed at the wrong angle, depth, or position relative to the surrounding teeth and nerves.

Bone loss plays a major role as well. When there is not enough healthy bone to support an implant long term, even a well-placed fixture can gradually loosen. Research on implants removed and later replaced found that infection-related bone loss was among the leading reasons implants had to come out in the first place, which is part of why we evaluate bone volume so carefully before recommending any bone grafting or revision procedure.

Warning Signs of a Failing Implant

Since implant failure can develop slowly, patients often notice subtle changes before the implant becomes an emergency. Paying attention to these early signs gives us more options for saving the surrounding bone and tissue:

• Persistent pain, throbbing, or pressure around the implant site
• Gum recession, redness, or swelling near the implant
• A loose or shifting feeling when biting or chewing
• Visible bone loss or a widening gap between the implant and gum
• A bad taste or odor that will not go away despite good oral hygiene

If you have noticed any of these, you should have your implant evaluated before the surrounding bone deteriorates any further.

What the Implant Revision Process Involves

Every revision starts with a thorough evaluation, usually including cone beam 3D imaging so we can see exactly how much bone remains and how the failing implant relates to nearby nerves, sinuses, and teeth. From there, we determine whether the implant can be salvaged with treatment for infection, whether it needs to be removed and replaced, or whether the site needs to heal and rebuild before a new implant can be placed at all.

In many cases, revision surgery involves removing the failed implant, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the site, and grafting bone where it has been lost so the area can support a new implant later. Patients are typically given IV sedation options for comfort during more involved procedures, and we discuss realistic healing timelines so there are no surprises along the way.

Why Choosing a Specialist Reduces Implant Failure Risk

One of the most common threads we see in failed implant cases is that the original placement was done by a provider without extensive surgical training in bone grafting, sinus anatomy, or complex implant positioning. Placing an implant correctly the first time requires an understanding of jaw anatomy, bone density, and healing biology that goes well beyond restoring the visible tooth.

Our practice is led by surgeons including Dr. Sam Vahedi, a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, who evaluates each case individually rather than applying a generic strategy. Choosing a specialist for implant placement or revision means having someone trained specifically in the surgical side of implant dentistry, not just the restorative side, which significantly lowers the odds of running into the same problem twice.

Schedule Your Implant Consultation With Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center

Wilshire Oral Surgery and Implant Center has built a reputation across West Los Angeles for handling the surgical cases that other offices are not equipped to take on, from complex bone grafting to full implant revisions. Our team offers same-day scheduling for urgent concerns, IV sedation for patients who want a more comfortable experience, and bilingual care in both Spanish and Persian/Farsi, along with flexible financing options for those who are weighing the cost of revision treatment.

If your implant feels loose, painful, or simply different than it used to, do not wait for the problem to get worse. Our team can evaluate what happened, explain your options in plain language, and build a plan to get you back to a comfortable, functional smile. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.