Medically Reviewed by Dr. Edwin Porter, DDS, DICOI, FAGD on September 28, 2026
Yes, new dental implants can fail, but it is uncommon. A large registry study of 158,824 implants published in the National Library of Medicine reported an overall survival rate of 97.79 percent, and most of the failures it recorded happened early, before the final tooth was attached. When an implant does fail, the cause is usually identifiable, and many of the biggest risk factors can be reduced with careful planning and good aftercare.
If you are experiencing tooth loss or gum disease and decay, a dentist in Charlotte, NC may suggest placing dental implants. At Charlotte Dental Arts, Dr. Edwin Porter plans, places, and restores implants in-house, which lets our team account for the factors that affect long-term success from the first consultation onward.
What Is the Dental Implant Process Like?
Dental implants are placed in the bone of the jaw and then covered with a natural-looking crown, bridge, or denture to replace teeth that are missing or can no longer be saved. Before placement, your dentist assesses the health of your jaw, mouth, and gums to confirm you are a good candidate, since these factors directly affect how long an implant lasts.
Evaluation and Imaging
Your gums, bite, and bone volume are reviewed so risks can be addressed before surgery.
Implant Placement
A titanium post is placed in the jawbone, with bone grafting first if the site needs more support.
Osseointegration
Over the following months, the bone grows around and fuses with the post. This is the window when early failure is most likely.
Final Restoration
Once integration is confirmed, the permanent crown, bridge, or denture is attached and your bite is checked.
Early Failure vs. Late Failure: What Is the Difference?
Dentists generally group implant failures by when they happen, because the timing points to the likely cause and the best fix.
| Early Failure | Late Failure | |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | During healing, before or around the time the final tooth is attached | After the implant has been functioning, often a year or more later |
| What goes wrong | The bone never fully fuses with the implant post | Bone that had fused to the implant is gradually lost |
| Common causes | Infection, smoking, low bone volume, early pressure on the implant | Peri-implantitis, heavy bite forces or grinding, skipped maintenance |
| How often | About 1.56 percent of implants in the registry study above | Less common, and failure rates drop significantly after the first year |
Because most failures cluster in the healing period, the weeks right after surgery are when following your aftercare instructions matters most. After that, long-term success depends largely on daily hygiene and regular professional maintenance.
How Can Dental Implants Fail?
Although dental implants function like natural teeth, they are an investment that needs the right conditions to last. These are the most common reasons an implant runs into trouble:
Failed Osseointegration
If the post moves or becomes infected while it heals, bone may not fuse to it, and the implant stays loose.
Peri-Implantitis
This gum infection around an implant is similar to gum disease and, left untreated, can destroy the bone holding the implant in place.
Smoking
Smoking reduces blood flow to the implant site, which slows healing and raises the risk of infection around the implant.
Bite Overload and Grinding
Clenching, grinding, or a poorly balanced bite can place more force on an implant than the surrounding bone can handle.
Limited Bone Support
Thin or soft bone makes it harder for an implant to stay stable, which is why some patients need grafting first.
Health Conditions
Conditions or medications that slow healing can affect integration, so your full medical history is reviewed before treatment.
The registry study also found somewhat higher failure rates for implants in the upper molar and front incisor areas, and for implants supporting removable prosthetics compared with fixed ones. Patients with reduced bone can read more in our guide on getting dental implants with low jawbone density.
What Are the Signs a New Implant May Be Failing?
Pain that gets worse instead of better after the first few days, swelling or bleeding around the implant, a bad taste, or any movement when you press on the tooth are all reasons to call your dentist. Later on, gum recession around the implant or a change in how your bite feels can signal bone loss from peri-implantitis. Our article on whether a dental implant can fall out covers these warning signs and what to do if an implant feels loose.
Not every loose feeling means the implant itself has failed. A crown or abutment screw can loosen on its own, and that is usually a quick fix. Only an exam and imaging can tell the difference, so it is always worth having it checked promptly.
How Can You Help Your Dental Implants Succeed?
Most of what protects an implant is within your control. Follow your post-surgery instructions closely, especially around diet and avoiding pressure on the implant while it heals. If you smoke, stopping before surgery and staying smoke-free through healing gives the implant a better chance to integrate.
After the implant is restored, keep up with regular dental checkups and cleanings, and brush and floss around the implant every day just as you would a natural tooth. Avoid chewing ice or very hard foods, and ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth. Our long-term implant maintenance tips go into more detail, and our guide to how long dental implants last explains what supports a result that holds up for decades.
Can a Failed Dental Implant Be Replaced?
In many cases, yes. When an implant fails, it is typically removed and the site is allowed to heal. Your dentist then addresses the underlying cause, such as treating infection, rebuilding bone with a graft, or adjusting your bite, before a new implant is placed. Replacement is usually more predictable when the original problem has been identified and corrected, which is why a careful review of what went wrong is part of the process.
Are You Considering Dental Implants?
Dr. Edwin Porter is a Diplomate in Implantology from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and he has been recognized with the “Top Dentist in Charlotte” award for over 20 years. Because implant planning, placement, and restoration all happen at Charlotte Dental Arts, our team can evaluate your gums, bone, and bite together and build a customized treatment plan around them.
Dental implants can be a long-lasting, natural-looking way to restore your smile. Contact us to schedule your consultation in our office by Charlotte, NC with our doctor, Dr. Edwin Porter, DDS, FAGD, today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implant Failure
How common is dental implant failure?
It is uncommon. A large registry study of more than 158,000 implants reported an overall survival rate of about 98 percent, with most failures occurring during the healing period before the final tooth was attached.
When are dental implants most likely to fail?
Most failures happen early, while the bone is still fusing with the implant post. Failure rates drop significantly after the first year, although problems such as peri-implantitis can still develop later without good hygiene and regular checkups.
What is peri-implantitis?
Peri-implantitis is an infection of the gums and bone around a dental implant. It works much like gum disease around natural teeth, and if it is not treated it can break down the bone that holds the implant in place.
Can smokers get dental implants?
Smoking does not automatically rule out implants, but it slows healing and raises the risk of failure. Stopping before surgery and staying smoke-free while the implant heals can improve your chances of success.
Is a failed dental implant painful?
Not always. Some failing implants cause pain, swelling, or bleeding, while others simply feel loose. Because symptoms can be mild, any movement or lasting discomfort around an implant is worth having evaluated promptly.
