Implant failure happens. Even at the best clinics, the literature reports a 2-4% failure rate over 10 years for premium implants. At budget clinics with non-original materials, failure rates can reach 15-25%. If you have had an implant fail somewhere else, you are not alone — and you are not disqualified from a successful replacement. WeCare has performed over 500 implant salvage cases. This guide explains the protocol.
First — Why Did the Original Implant Fail?
Failure analysis is the most important step. Without understanding why the first implant failed, the replacement is at the same risk. Common failure causes:
- Peri-implantitis — Gum and bone disease around the implant. Causes: poor oral hygiene, smoking, periodontitis history, inadequate professional cleanings.
- Insufficient bone integration — Implant did not osseointegrate. Causes: poor surgical technique, incorrect implant size, smoker, uncontrolled diabetes, premature loading.
- Mechanical failure — Implant or abutment screw broke. Causes: heavy bite force without night guard, defective material, over-torque during placement.
- Infection — Bacterial contamination during or after surgery. Causes: non-sterile technique, contaminated implant, post-op poor hygiene.
- Anatomical complications — Sinus perforation, nerve injury. Causes: surgery without 3D CBCT planning, surgeon error.
- Material failure — Implant brand was not what was promised. Causes: clinic substituted lower-grade fixture for the brand the patient paid for.
WeCare requests these documents from the original clinic:
- Original surgical notes
- Implant manufacturer batch certificate
- Pre- and post-operative X-rays
- Any photographs
If the documents are not available (which is common when the original clinic was budget-tier), we proceed with our own diagnostic workup.
The WeCare Salvage Diagnostic
Clinical examination
- Soft tissue health around the failed site
- Mobility of the implant if still in place
- Adjacent teeth condition
- Bite and occlusion analysis
Imaging
- Panoramic X-ray (OPG)
- 3D CBCT scan with cross-sectional views of the failed implant area
- Comparison with any pre-failure imaging if available
Microbial testing (some cases)
- Sample from peri-implant tissue if active infection
- Identifies specific bacteria, guides antibiotic choice
Blood work (some cases)
- HbA1c (diabetes status)
- Vitamin D and bone markers if peri-implantitis history
- INR if patient is on anticoagulants
Within 2-3 days of receiving your information by WhatsApp, we send a written failure-cause assessment with replacement protocol.
The Salvage Protocol — Step by Step
Step 1 — Removal of failed implant
If the failed implant is still in place, we remove it. Methods depend on the failure mode:
- Loose implant — Simple unscrewing, atraumatic removal.
- Integrated but failing implant — Reverse-torque protocol, sometimes ultrasonic device.
- Broken implant — Surgical removal with bone preservation. May require trephine drill.
- Infected implant — Removal plus thorough debridement of surrounding bone, possible antibiotic protocol before replacement.
Step 2 — Site preparation
The bone around the failed implant is rarely intact. Preparation:
- Debridement — All granulation tissue, infected bone, and biofilm removed.
- Bone grafting — Almost always needed. Either your own bone (autograft) or premium synthetic substitutes (BioOss, Geistlich) fills the defect.
- Membrane (GBR) — Resorbable or non-resorbable membrane to guide bone regeneration.
- Antibiotics — 7-10 day course pre- and post-procedure.
Step 3 — Healing phase (3-6 months)
The grafted site needs to heal before a new implant can be placed. Typical timing:
- Small defects — 3 months
- Moderate defects — 4 months
- Large defects with significant bone loss — 5-6 months
- Sinus lift in upper jaw — 6 months minimum
You go home after step 2 and we monitor by photo and clinical reports. Visit 2 is the new implant placement.
Step 4 — New implant placement
After bone is reconstructed, we place the replacement implant:
- Brand upgrade — We typically use Straumann SLActive or Nobel Biocare TiUltra for salvage cases (premium surfaces with faster integration in compromised bone).
- Different size or angle — Often we change the implant geometry to match the rebuilt bone better than the original implant fit.
- Same surgical principles — 3D guided placement, proper torque, sterile field.
Step 5 — Final restoration (3-4 months later)
After full integration confirmed by follow-up scan, we place the final crown or bridge. Materials chosen to minimise mechanical risk based on the original failure cause.
Total Treatment Time
For a single failed implant:
- Visit 1 (failed implant removal + bone graft) — 4-5 days
- Healing at home — 4 months
- Visit 2 (new implant placement) — 3-4 days
- Healing at home — 3 months
- Visit 3 (final crown) — 2-3 days
Total elapsed time: ~8 months. We arrange hotel and transfer for all three visits.
For multiple failed implants or All-on-4 failure, the timeline is similar but the surgical complexity is higher. We assess case-by-case.
What If My Bone Is Too Damaged for Implants?
For severely damaged bone, options include:
- Zygomatic implants — Anchored in the cheekbone (zygoma) instead of the jawbone. Bypasses bone deficiency entirely. Available at WeCare via partner specialist.
- Implant-retained denture — Lower-cost alternative if you want to avoid major reconstruction. Click-in denture supported by 2-4 implants.
- Traditional denture — When implants are not feasible at all. Still a valid solution.
We will be honest about what is and is not possible for your specific case after CBCT analysis.
What to Send Us
WhatsApp +90 551 086 83 68 with:
- Recent panoramic X-ray (OPG) from your home dentist
- Original implant surgical notes and brand certificate (if available)
- Photos of the failed implant area
- Timeline of the original treatment (when, where, what symptoms appeared)
- Any antibiotic or treatment history for the failure
- Your medical history and medications
Within 2-3 days we send a written failure analysis, a step-by-step salvage protocol, replacement brand recommendation, total visit timeline, and your individual quotation. We then arrange the hotel, Mercedes airport transfer, and clinic shuttle for visit 1.
