If you’re thinking about dental implants, you’ve probably seen scary stories online about implants “failing” or causing problems years later. The good news: for most patients, implants are one of the most successful treatments in modern dentistry — but like any medical procedure, there is a small risk of complications.
At California Dental Implants Specialists, our goal is to be completely transparent about dental implant failure rates, what can go wrong, and how we plan every case to keep your smile healthy for the long term.
How Common Is Dental Implant Failure?
Most studies show that dental implants have a long-term success rate of around 90–97% over 10 years when they’re properly planned, placed, and cared for. That means only a small percentage — roughly 3–10% — experience some kind of failure over that period.
In other words, the dental implant failure rate is low, especially when:
- Your case is carefully treatment-planned using 3D imaging and digital technology.
- You’re a good candidate medically and orally.
- You follow your dentist’s home care instructions and maintenance schedule.
It’s also important to understand that “failure” can mean different things:
- Early failure: The implant never fully fuses with the jawbone during healing.
- Late failure: The implant was successful at first, but problems develop months or years later (often due to infection or bite stress).
During your consultation, we’ll discuss success and failure rates in plain language, so you know exactly what to expect. For more background on how implants work, you can also review our Dental Implant FAQ and implant process overview.
Top Causes of Dental Implant Failure
Implant problems rarely happen “out of nowhere.” Most failures are linked to one or more underlying causes — some related to healing and bone, others related to habits, health conditions, or oral hygiene over time.
1. Lack of Proper Osseointegration (The Implant Never Fully Bonds)
After an implant is placed, your jawbone needs time to fuse with the titanium post in a process called osseointegration. If this doesn’t happen fully, the implant can remain loose or uncomfortable and may need to be removed.
Common reasons this can occur include:
- Insufficient bone volume or density where the implant was placed
- Premature heavy biting or chewing on the implant during healing
- Uncontrolled medical conditions that affect healing
- Smoking or vaping, which can reduce blood flow and bone health
Before recommending treatment, our doctors use in-office 3D CT scans and a detailed implant planning process to evaluate the quality and quantity of bone and determine whether bone grafting or sinus lifting is needed to support a strong, stable implant.
2. Peri-Implantitis (Gum and Bone Infection Around the Implant)
The most common cause of late implant failure is a condition called peri-implantitis — an infection and inflammation of the gums and bone around the implant. Over time, this can lead to bone loss and loosening of the implant if it goes untreated.
Risk factors for peri-implantitis include:
- Poor or inconsistent brushing and flossing around the implant
- Skipping regular dental cleanings and exams
- History of periodontal (gum) disease
- Smoking, vaping, or heavy alcohol use
- Uncontrolled diabetes or immune conditions
This is why we emphasize ongoing care and maintenance for every implant patient — regular hygiene visits at one of our Southern California implant centers, plus a personalized home-care routine, dramatically lowers the chance of infection in the future.
3. Excess Bite Stress or Teeth Grinding
Your implant is strong, but the forces from your bite and jaw muscles can be even stronger — especially if you clench or grind your teeth (bruxism), or if your bite is unbalanced.
Excess stress can lead to:
- Loosening of the implant screw or abutment
- Fracture of the crown or prosthetic teeth
- Bone loss around the implant over time
At your consultation, we’ll evaluate your bite and jaw joint carefully. In some cases, we may recommend a nightguard or specific implant designs to better distribute force. For full-arch treatments like All-On-X full mouth dental implants, proper planning of your bite is critical to long-term success.
4. Medical or Lifestyle Risk Factors
Certain health conditions and habits don’t automatically disqualify you from getting implants, but they can increase the risk of complications if they’re not well managed. These may include:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders
- Osteoporosis or certain bone medications
- Smoking or heavy vaping
- Chronic gum disease that hasn’t been treated
Our team will always review your medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors before recommending implants — and we work closely with your physician when needed to make sure you can heal properly.
What Does a Failing Dental Implant Feel Like?
A healthy dental implant should feel stable and comfortable, like a natural tooth. If something feels “off,” it’s important to get it checked early — most problems are easier to treat when caught at the first signs.
Possible warning signs of implant trouble include:
- New or increasing pain around the implant site
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums near the implant
- A bad taste, odor, or discharge near the implant
- The implant crown feeling loose, wiggly, or unstable
- Difficulty chewing on that side or avoiding the implant subconsciously
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact us as soon as possible so we can evaluate the implant and surrounding tissues. You can call our Huntington Beach and Pacifica locations at 714-418-4480, our Downey office at 562-662-3773, or our Marina del Rey office at 310-905-8747. You can also reach us through our Contact Us page.
How We Help Keep Implant Failure Rates Low
At California Dental Implants Specialists, we’ve built our entire approach around predictable, long-lasting results — from your first consultation through your final restoration and beyond.
1. Comprehensive Consultation and 3D Imaging
Every case begins with a thorough exam and digital imaging. Using in-office CT scans and advanced diagnostic tools, we evaluate:
- Your bone height, width, and density in potential implant areas
- The position of nerves and sinus cavities
- Your bite, jaw joint, and existing restorations
This information allows us to design a personalized treatment plan and discuss whether implants, bridges, or other options are the best fit for you. You can read more about this on our Why Dental Implants? page and our detailed implant process guide.
2. Experienced Implant Team and Guided Surgery
Our implant specialists have extensive experience in placing and restoring implants, including single-tooth implants, implant bridges, and full-arch solutions such as All-On-X full mouth dental implants. Whenever appropriate, we use guided surgery and digitally designed restorations to maximize accuracy, comfort, and long-term stability.
3. Clear Instructions and Maintenance Plan
Your long-term success doesn’t end when the implant is placed — it depends on ongoing care. We provide:
- Step-by-step written and verbal instructions after surgery
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and bite
- Personalized home-care recommendations (brush type, flossing aids, rinses, etc.)
- Regular hygiene visits at one of our Southern California offices
For an overview of costs and how to keep care affordable over time, be sure to visit our Financing & Insurance page as well.
What Happens If a Dental Implant Does Fail?
Even with the best planning and care, there are rare cases where an implant doesn’t heal properly or develops problems later. If that happens, the first step is always a careful diagnosis: we’ll determine whether the issue is with the implant itself, the bone, the gum tissue, or the prosthetic (crown, bridge, or denture).
Depending on what we find, treatment may include:
- Non-surgical therapy to clean the area and treat early peri-implantitis.
- Adjusting the bite or making a protective nightguard to reduce stress.
- Minor surgical procedures to regenerate lost bone or gum tissue.
- Implant removal and replacement if the implant is not salvageable.
In many situations, even if one implant fails, we can still restore your smile successfully with a new implant, a bridge, or another solution that matches your goals. We’ll review all of your options in detail so you can make an informed decision.
Are Dental Implants Still Worth It If There’s a Failure Risk?
For most patients, the answer is yes. Even with a small dental implant failure rate, implants remain one of the most predictable, comfortable, and natural-feeling ways to replace missing teeth — especially when compared to traditional dentures or removable partials.
Implants protect your jawbone, stabilize your bite, and give you the freedom to eat, speak, and smile more confidently. With thoughtful planning and ongoing care, the vast majority of our patients enjoy many years — often decades — of trouble-free function from their implants.
Schedule a Consultation at One of Our Southern California Implant Centers
If you’re worried about implant risks or past dental problems, you’re not alone — and you deserve honest answers. Our team at California Dental Implants Specialists will take the time to explain your options, your personal risk factors, and the steps we take to keep failure rates low in everyday practice.
You can learn more about our locations here:
- California Dental Implants Specialists – Huntington Beach
18800 Main St #110A, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone: 714-418-4480 - California Dental Implants Specialists – Pacifica (Huntington Beach)
18800 Main St #110C, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone: 714-418-4480 - California Dental Implants Specialists – Marina del Rey
4292 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: 310-905-8747 - Downey Dental Implants | California Dental Implants Specialists
8512 Paramount Blvd, Downey, CA 90240
Phone: 562-662-3773
Or, request your consultation anytime through our online Contact Us form. We’ll help you understand the real-world risks and benefits of dental implants — and design a plan that’s focused on long-term comfort, function, and confidence.
