Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. They look natural, feel strong, and can last for years. But here’s something most people don’t realize:A dental implant can still fail, even if the surgery went perfectly. And when it does, it’s usually not the implant’s fault.
It’s Not Just About the Bone. It’s About the Bite.
Before placing an implant, most dentists look at your X-rays or CBCT scan to check the bone. That’s important, but bone is just one part of the picture.
What really determines whether your implant lasts?
- How your teeth come together.
- How your jaw moves.
- Whether or not your bite is stable.
If your bite is unbalanced, your teeth are shifting, or your jaw joint isn’t working properly, even a perfectly placed implant can end up in trouble.
5 Warning Signs to Address Before Getting a Dental Implant
If you’re considering an implant, here are some red flags your dentist should be checking before the procedure:
1. A Bite That’s Always Changing
Do your teeth feel like they’re moving? Have you had a lot of dental work or experienced new gaps or shifting?
If your bite isn’t stable, placing an implant can lock it into an unstable system— leading to pain, fractures, or bone loss later on.
What you need: Bite stabilization before the implant. This might include a splint, orthotic, or temporary restorations to test the bite first.
2. Grinding or Clenching (Even If You Don’t Know You Do It)
Most people don’t realize they grind or clench their teeth. But signs like:
- Worn-down or chipped teeth
- Scalloped tongue edges
- Frequent jaw or neck tension
…can all be clues that you’re putting excess pressure on your teeth, especially while you sleep.
An implant doesn’t have a shock-absorbing ligament like natural teeth, so it takes the full hit.
What you need: A dentist who screens for bruxism and may recommend a nightguard or other protective appliance, before you place the implant.
3.Weak Bone + Force in the Wrong Direction
Even if you have enough bone for an implant, it’s not just about volume—it’s about how that bone handles pressure.
When the forces of chewing aren’t aligned properly (for example, if they’re sideways instead of straight down), your implant can crack or loosen over time.
What you need: A treatment plan that ensures the implant is placed and restored for vertical (not lateral) force.
4. Worn Front Teeth or Missing “Canine Guidance”
Your front teeth (especially the canines) play a key role in guiding your bite and protecting your back teeth. If they’re worn, chipped, or missing, your bite may be offbalance.
This often leads to too much pressure on your back teeth, including any implants.
What you need: Rebuilding the front bite to protect the back. That could mean restoring worn teeth or re-establishing proper bite guidance first.
5. Clicking, Popping, or Soreness in the Jaw Joint
Even if you’ve never been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, any clicking, popping, or discomfort in the jaw should be a red flag before getting an implant.
Implants don’t move like natural teeth. So if your jaw joint is unstable, locking in an implant can make things worse.
What you need: A full TMJ evaluation, bite testing, and a plan to stabilize the joint before doing any surgical work.
Bottom Line: Don’t Just Look at the Bone. Look at the Whole System. Implants don’t work in isolation.
They work inside a dynamic system, your bite, your muscles, your joints. And if that system isn’t working properly, your implant is at risk.
So before you rush into treatment, ask your dentist:
- Have you checked my bite for stability?
- Is there any sign of bruxism or joint dysfunction?
- Are we doing anything to test how my teeth come together before the implant is placed
These are the questions that lead to implants that feel better, last longer, and don’t cause problems down the road.
Thinking About getting Dental Implants?
At Smiles by Bis, we go beyond the basics. We look at your bite, jaw, and joint, because success doesn’t just mean placing an implant. It means placing it in the right system, for the right reasons, at the right time.
📍 Schedule your consultation in Oakville
🖥 Visit smilesbybis.com
📞 Call (905) 338-6684