Dental implant restorations have remarkably low failure rates. However, with the number of procedures on the rapid rise, we are observing a faster rate of dental implant complications in our community than we want to see.

Dental implants ultimately fail via two mechanisms:

   1. biological failure, and/or
   2. mechanical failure

However, many times, there are human factors that contribute directly, and it may be both operator (doctor) induced or brought on by the patient. Poor planning and execution of the treatment on the part of the doctor is not acceptable in any society. So too is the lack of care and follow up, such as adequate home care that many patient fail to keep up with.

One must remember that human teeth that mother nature had designed so incredibly, do fail. The modern day dental implants, despite the outstanding features, DO NOT FARE BETTER than natural teeth, under any circumstances. When one creates an environment where natural teeth fail, the same conditions will make dental implant restorations fail also. It is foolish to make claims such as, "dental implants are stronger than teeth," or that "dental implants will last longer than natural teeth."

Most people loose teeth due to periodontal disease (gum disease). Most dental implants fail due to presence of infection and disease around the implant and gums (peri-implantitis)

Dental implant(s) will last a patient's lifetime, given the following conditions are maintained:

1. A healthy mouth is maintained, free from gum disease
2. Optimal surgery was performed, where bone tissue of adequate density and volume, and ideal soft tissue form (thickness, quality, lack of muscle attachments, adequate vestibular depth) was created.
3. Restorative dentistry was carried out with appropriate material, form, and with protective and balanced occlusion (bite form) was created.

Once these conditions are met, long term maintenance can be achieved with the following strategy:
- maintain regular professional hygiene program at the recommended intervals (most dental implants need professional "cleanings" visits every 3-4 months)

• maintain optimal home hygiene care
• maintain regular check-ups (radiographs and clinical evaluations as necessary, typically annually)
• maintain optimal systemic health: conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, xerostomia (dry mouth),compromise the health of dental implants
• wear nightguards (or occlusal splints) if your dental professional recommend it (up to 70% of all adults grind or brux their teeth during sleep - when one does, the force generated could be up to 3-4 times that of normal biting forces generated such as in eating - this is extremely dangerous, and can lead to mechanical failures)

Dr. Kim's Lifetime Dental Implant Warranty Program is simple and fair:

His team will do their part to deliver the most exceptional quality dental implant possible. You do your part to maintain optimal health. Dr. Kim will personally retreat all the problems if they still arise, under these environment!