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.  

What is perceived as a break is often something else entirely, and perhaps this is one of those times.  It is likely that the implant is fine and the crown attached has broken, which may be a simple fix.  

Implants come in three parts, the implant, the connector (abutment) and the crown. Sometimes the abutment and crown can be combined, but not often.  If the crown had porcelain as part of it, it is likely that the procelain chipped.  If the chip is small, it can be polished, if it is large, you might be able just remake the crown.

Dental restorations don't last forever and many last longer than others.  While we hope to have restorations last for decades, sometimes they don't.  If insurance is a factor, there likely is a benefit to help but there would likely be a contribution from you as well to cover the full fee.  5 years is normal from an insurance standpoint.

If the failure IS the implant, the implant company may cover the cost of the implant but not the labor to replace.

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.