Nov 13, 2025
Can Dental Implants Be Removed?
By Dr. Raheel Thobhani, DMD
When you invest in a dental implant, you are choosing a solution that is designed to be a permanent and lifelong part of your smile. With a success rate of over 95%, they are the most durable and reliable tooth replacement in modern dentistry. But what happens in that rare instance that something goes wrong? A question we sometimes hear is, "If it's permanent, can a dental implant ever be removed?"
The answer is yes, and it is a critical part of ensuring your long-term oral health. At Smyrna Dental Studio, our expertise in implant dentistry includes managing complex cases. This guide will explain the rare situations that require implant removal, what the process involves, and how it's the first step toward getting your smile restoration back on track.
Why Would a "Permanent" Dental Implant Need to Be Removed?
A dental implant is designed to be permanent through a process called osseointegration, where your jawbone permanently fuses with the titanium post. Because of this, removal is a significant decision and is only recommended when the health of your mouth is at stake. The most common reasons include:
Severe Infection (Peri-implantitis): This is the #1 cause of late implant failure. It's an aggressive form of gum disease that attacks the bone supporting the implant. If caught early, it can be managed, but if left untreated, the bone loss can become so severe that the only way to stop the infection is to remove the implant.
Failed Osseointegration (Early Failure): This is a rare event where the implant fails to fuse with the jawbone in the first few months after surgery. This can be caused by various factors, including smoking, uncontrolled medical conditions, or poor initial healing. An implant that hasn't fused will be loose and must be removed.
Mechanical Failure or Trauma: In extremely rare cases, a severe accident or long-term, unmanaged teeth grinding (bruxism) could potentially fracture the implant post itself.
Improper Placement: An implant placed in the wrong position by a previous dentist can cause issues with your bite or make it impossible to restore. In these cases, removal and proper replacement are necessary.
The Removal Process: What to Expect
It's important to understand that removing a fully integrated implant is not a simple process of "unscrewing" it. It is a precise surgical procedure performed by a dental professional.
Diagnosis: We first take a 3D CBCT scan to get a precise map of your jawbone and the implant.
The Procedure: Your comfort is our priority. The area is completely numbed with local anesthesia, and we offer sedation options. We use specialized instruments to carefully remove the implant while preserving as much of your healthy jawbone as possible.
Rebuilding the Site: After the implant is out, the site is thoroughly cleaned, and a bone graft is almost always placed to rebuild the socket and create a healthy, solid foundation for the future.
What Happens After My Implant is Removed?
After removal, your smile makeover journey isn't over; it's just being reset.
Healing: The bone graft is allowed to heal for several months. We will provide you with a temporary tooth (like a flipper or bridge) so you do not have to live with a gap.
A Fresh Start: Once the site has completely healed into a solid, healthy foundation, we can proceed with placing a new, sterile dental implant. This new implant will have a high chance of success in the regenerated, infection-free bone.
FAQs: Your Questions About Dental Implant Removal
Q1: Is it painful to have a dental implant removed? No. The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, so you will be completely numb. The recovery is very similar to the initial implant placement—you can expect some mild soreness and swelling that is well-managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses.
Q2: My implant feels loose! Is this an emergency? YES. This is a critical dental emergency. A loose implant is the #1 sign of a failed dental implant or a serious infection. Do not wait for it to get worse. Call our Smyrna emergency dentist office immediately for an urgent evaluation.
Q3: Can I remove a failing implant at home? Absolutely not. This is extremely dangerous. Attempting to remove an implant yourself can cause severe, irreversible damage to your jawbone, lead to a widespread infection, and result in a much more complex and costly problem. This is a procedure that requires surgical expertise.
Q4: Will I be left without a tooth during the healing process? No. We will never leave you with a visible gap in your smile. We will provide you with a comfortable, aesthetic temporary restoration (like a removable partial or a temporary bridge) to wear while your bone graft heals and you await your new implant.
Removal is Not the End, It's the First Step to a New Beginning
While the thought of removing a dental implant is stressful, it's a positive and necessary step to resolve an issue, eliminate infection, and get you back on track to a healthy, permanent smile restoration. With modern techniques, we can manage this process comfortably and create a healthy foundation for a new implant that can last a lifetime.
If you are in the Smyrna area and are experiencing pain, swelling, or looseness around your dental implant, do not wait. Contact our expert team at Smyrna Dental Studio immediately for an evaluation.
