I Got a Dental Implant 5 Years Ago, and It Broke Off! What is my Recourse?

From your question it is hard to tell what part of your implant actually is fractured.  It is very rare that the implant itself will fracture.  It is more likely that it is your crown or the abutment (part that is screwed into the implant) that has fractured.  A crown fracture can be restored easily by fabricating a new crown.  If the abutment is loose it is usually due to the screw coming loose or fracturing.  Both of these issues can also be corrected.  If the implant itself has fractured you will need to have it completely removed and have a new implant after adequate healing has occurred.  Any of these situations will probably require you to pay for whatever treatment needs to be done.  

First, you need to investigate whether it's the IMPLANT (supporting post in bone) or the CROWN (cap on top of the implant) that broke. If the crown broke off, that's easy to replace. The old crown is removed and a new cap is replaced. You will have to pay for the crown. On the other hand, if the implant itself broke, that's more complicated. This now means that the cap and implant have to be removed, most likely bone grafted int the socket and you will have to wait about 4-6 months for the ridge of the jaw to heal before re-implanting another implant post. Again, you will likely have to pay for the surgery although the companies that make the implants will warranty the parts for 10 PLUS years nowadays. That should save you a couple hundred dollars. Your dentist will receive a replacement implant and not charge you for the material cost. Let's face it, who can guarantee anything for 5 years of more? Understandably if the crown or implant broke off in the first couple years, I would say you should have the cost of re-doing it waived. But after five years of heavy wear and tearing, chewing and biting, it's reasonable to have to pay for re-treatment. 

It is rare for an Implant to break.  Most likely the screw holding the abutment to the implant has fractured. If the implant itself has broken the implant manufacturer will replace the implant at no cost to the surgeon if it is a reputable company.  There are several fly by night companies that offer cheap implants to doctors and they will will not warrenty their product. The companies I use in my office offer lifetime replacement on their products.  If the implant itself truly broke, it should be replaced free of charge to the doctor.  Most surgeons and restoring doctors will work with you even if it has been 5 years. I dont charge my patients additional if there is a failure, albeit a rare occuance of any failure

In general, dental implants do not break.  The actual implant is securely fixed to the bone prior to final restoration.  The abutment, or implant extension, rarely fails.  It is possible for the screw which holds the abutment to the implant to fracture. 

Some implant systems were designed to have the retention screws replaced periodically.  If the screw was not tightened properly, it may loosen.  This can result in separation of the abutment from the implant or screw fracture.  If the screw was torqued beyond manufacturer recommendations, a screw fracture can also result.

Implant manufacturers have specialized instruments available to easily remove and replace a fractured screw.  Implant abutments can also be easily replaced.  If the implant has indeed fractured, the manufacturer will usually cover it's replacement.

You have asked a good question, why did it break. I would want to know the answer to this prior to any new implant or crown being placed.  Dental implants come in different sizes. Sometimes a smaller diameter implant is placed due to lack of bone.  If  you have a back tooth with a smaller diameter implant and a lot of stress is placed from your bite, there is chance that it might break.  

The second thought is where did it break?  If the implant neck broke, it will have to be removed and perhaps a larger diameter implant should be considered.  If the abutment or piece that goes inside the implant broke, a new abutment and crown can be made.  Once again, your bite and the reason that it broke should be evaluated.

As for paying for it, sometimes the better implant companies will help out with the replacement by providing a complimentary implant for the surgeon to use.  

Hope this helps.

Ronald W. Konig DDS, FAGD, LVIF

Unless you have moved visit  your surgeon and restorative dentist (may be the same) to see what has actually failed.  The implant itself (breakage is rare), or more likely the abutment (part that connects the implant and restoration, or the screw holding the abutment in place.  The other possible cause of failure is with the restoration itself (crown or bridge).  How involved the repair or replacement will be depends on which component has failed.  Most dentists doing implants and restorations will stand behind their work for a reasonable amount of time.

Implants repairs are definitely possible.  Everything depends on where the implant broke.  If the crown broke off of the top of the implant, a new crown can be made in most cases and reattatched.  If the break is in the connection to the implanted portion under your tissues, again, many times new connections can be established.  However, if the implant is broken well under the tissue in the implant body itself, many times the implant can be left under the tissue which will heal around it and will continue to allow bone stabilization in the area, but then a new implant will need to be placed near it if enough bone exists to place it.  Definitely have your dentist explore all options: he will need to see you to do this.

A fractured dental implant or implant part is an unexpected problem! First the correct diagnosis must be made by your treating surgeon by taking an xray. If the actual implant is not fractured, it may be the "abutment" or the part that holds the crown on. If this is the case it can be removed and replaced and many dental implant manufacturers will warrenty this so you may not be charged. This is why it is important to go to a specialist that uses the best dental implants with the best warrenty. If on the other hand, the actual dental implant is broken, it will need to be removed. The way it is removed is crucial to the ability to then replace it. It must be carefully removed using the latest technology to that another implant can be placed at the same time if possible. If there is bone loss from the fracture you may need a graft first. Start with the obvious! Get a diagnosis made first!

Hi. Sorry to hear about your problem.

If the implant itself is fractured, then it must be removed, and site prepared for another implant in several months. Implant fractures do occur very very rarely. Your dentist should evaluate the implant type, your bite scheme, and possibley crown fit factors. Every office handles this differently, but at our office, we warranty the implants for life- should anything happend to the implant such as fracture, we replace it at no cost. Speak to your surgeon and dentist and see what they can offer you.

 

thanks

dr. kazemi

I'm going to make a few assumption when answering this question. 

1) You have been attending regular checkups and your doctor has been following up on the implant placed and restored 5 years ago

2) You have no prior knowledge of anything wrong in the implant site prior to something breaking.

If my above assumptions are true then likely it is the restoration or crown that has broken and not the implant.

Implant bodies, manufactured by a reputable company rarely break unless the implant has experienced severe bone loss or immense pressure.  The screws sometimes break but that is usually a simple fix.

In conclusion if the crown is broken then you may need to have it replaced, crowns break sometimes for many reasons just like teeth break sometimes, could be material failure, stress or other issues.  The implant however is perfectly OK in the bone.