Dental implants have one of the highest success rates in dentistry. When they’re placed correctly and cared for properly, they can last 20 years or longer. Some patients keep theirs for life.
But implants do fail in rare circumstances. Not often, but often enough to understand why. Most implant failures don’t come down to the surgery itself. They come down to what happens after, like an uneven bite.
Dr. Erik Jenson is a Dawson-trained dentist at Hazel Dell Dental Care in Vancouver, WA. His post-graduate training at the Dawson Academy focused on occlusion, jaw function, and how the entire chewing system works together. That training shapes how he evaluates every dental implant case in Vancouver. Here’s what he looks for and why it matters.
What Causes Dental Implants to Fail
Implant failure happens for a few reasons. Some are surgical, some are biological, and some are functional:
- Infection: If bacteria enter the implant site, they can cause inflammation and eventual failure. This is called peri-implantitis, and it’s similar to gum disease. Good hygiene and regular checkups help prevent it.
- Insufficient Bone: Implants need a strong foundation. If the jawbone isn’t dense enough, the implant might not integrate properly. That’s why bone grafting is sometimes needed before placing an implant.
- Smoking and Health Conditions: Smoking restricts blood flow and slows healing, which increases the risk of failure. Uncontrolled diabetes and certain medications can also affect implant integration.
- Bite Forces: Most patients never hear about this, and it’s where Dawson training makes a difference. If your bite is unbalanced, the forces on your implant aren’t distributed evenly. One implant might take more pressure than it should. Over time, that pressure can loosen the implant, crack the crown, or cause the surrounding bone to recede.
That last factor is the one Dr. Jenson focuses on. If you don’t address the bite before placing implants, even a perfectly executed surgery can fail.
Why Bite Function Matters for Implants
Your teeth aren’t just individual units. They work as a system. When you bite down, forces distribute across all your teeth in a specific pattern. If that pattern is off, some teeth take more pressure than others.
Natural teeth can adapt to uneven forces to a point. They can shift, wear down, or compensate. Implants can’t. They’re fused to the bone, which means they don’t move or adapt. That’s good in most ways, but it also means that if forces on an implant aren’t balanced, the implant takes the full brunt.
Over time, that can cause:
- The implant loosening
- The crown or restoration cracking
- Bone loss around the implant
- Peri-implantitis and eventual failure
This is why Dr. Jenson evaluates your bite before recommending implants. He looks at how your teeth meet, how your jaw moves, and whether there are any signs of imbalance. If he finds any, he addresses them first.
The Dawson Approach to Implants
The Dawson Academy teaches a philosophy called “Complete Dentistry.” Instead of treating teeth in isolation, it looks at the entire chewing system: teeth, gums, jaw joints, and muscles.
For implants, that means Dr. Jenson doesn’t just look at the missing tooth. He looks at how that tooth fits into the rest of your bite. He considers:
- The opposing teeth. How do they meet? Is there wear or damage that suggests an unbalanced bite?
- The jaw joints. Are they functioning properly? Are there signs of TMJ disorder?
- The muscles. Are they overactive? Is there tension or clenching that could affect the implant?
- The overall bite pattern. Is it balanced? Are forces distributed evenly?
If any of those things are off, Dr. Jenson addresses them before placing the implant. That might mean adjusting the bite, recommending a night guard, or treating TMJ issues first. It takes more time upfront, but it helps ensure the implant lasts.
What This Means for You
If you’re considering dental implants in Vancouver, here’s what to look for.
A dentist who evaluates your bite. Not everyone does. If the consultation focuses only on the missing tooth and not how your teeth meet, that’s a red flag.
A comprehensive exam. Dr. Jenson uses digital imaging and a thorough evaluation to assess bone density, gum health, and bite function.
A plan that addresses the whole system. If something needs correcting before implants, he’ll tell you. He’d rather delay treatment than place an implant that’s likely to fail.
Ongoing follow-up. After implants are placed, regular checkups help catch problems early. Dr. Jenson monitors the implant, surrounding bone, and bite to ensure everything stays healthy.
What to Expect at Hazel Dell Dental Care
If you come to our Vancouver office for an implant consultation, here’s what happens:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Dr. Jenson examines your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. He takes digital imaging to assess bone density and plan the implant placement.
- Discussion of Your Goals: He’ll discuss your goals and timeline. If there are options, he’ll explain them clearly.
- A Personalized Plan: Based on the evaluation, Dr. Jenson creates a treatment plan. If bite issues need to be addressed first, we include that in the plan. If bone grafting is needed, we address that too.
- Implant Placement and Restoration: We surgically place the implant post, then allow it to heal and integrate with the bone. Once it’s stable, we attach the restoration. Throughout the process, Dr. Jenson monitors your bite to ensure balanced forces.
- Ongoing care: After we place the implant, you’ll come in for regular checkups. Dr. Jenson will monitor the implant and surrounding tissue to keep everything healthy.
Serving Vancouver and Clark County
Hazel Dell Dental Care is at 6202 NE Hwy 99 in Vancouver, WA. We proudly serve patients from Hazel Dell, Felida, Salmon Creek, Cascade Park, Fisher’s Landing, East Vancouver, Downtown Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Camas, Washougal, and across Clark County. We also welcome patients from North Portland and the greater Portland metro area.
If you’re considering dental implants, we’d love to talk. Dr. Jenson will evaluate your bite, explain your options, and create a plan that gives you the best chance of long-term success.
Call our new patient line at (360) 233-8831 or request an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you!