Can my Failed Implant be Salvaged? - Bone Loss On The Outside
Case Type I: Bone loss on the outside surface of an implant can be reversed with precise detoxification and bone grafting.
When a dental implant is missing bone on its buccal (outside) surface, it will continue to lose support and become loose, leaving a large defect. In many cases, however, it can be saved using meticulous techniques.
We first detoxify the implant surface, then add bone graft material enhanced with growth factors and cover it with a protective membrane to encourage new bone formation (Fig. 2). Four millimeters of bone can often be regenerated to shield the implant (Fig. 2). Throughout, a temporary bridge maintains aesthetics and function by seating over the site (Fig. 3).
Fig. 1: Implant Missing Bone on Outside Surface
Fig. 2: Bone Graft with 4 mm of New Bone Saved the Implant
Fig. 3: Temporary Crown Seated Over the Implant
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a failed implant site be reused?
Yes - if the implant is detoxified and grafted with new bone, the site can support the original implant again.
How long after grafting can I get the implant restored?
Typically we wait 4-6 months for the graft to mature before placing or reseating the implant.
Will I need a denture while healing?
No - a custom temporary bridge maintains your aesthetics and function during healing.
How durable is the graft long-term?
With proper care and follow-up, grafted bone remains stable for years, protecting your implant.
See How We Resolve These Problems
Our patient success stories show real cases and real results. Browse outcomes from a specialist prosthodontist with decades of experience and 3,900+ implants placed.
Related Patient Success Stories
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Before 
After How a Front Tooth Lost to Childhood Trauma Was Rebuilt with Bone Grafting and a Long-Lasting Implant
A teenager was referred by her father after earlier trauma left her upper left front tooth slowly failing from root resorption. She was still growing, so an immediate implant was the wrong move. The tooth had to be maintained to buy time, then replaced correctly once she reached skeletal maturity.
Before 
After Implant Supported Reconstruction: Failing Bridgework and Missing Back Teeth Rebuilt with Coordinated Specialist Care
Referred by another dental specialist with severe bone resorption on the upper left, multiple broken-down lower teeth requiring extraction, and failing lower back teeth that had left the bite without solid support. No single procedure, and no single provider working alone, could rebuild a situation this interconnected.
Before 
After How a Loose Upper Bridge and Aging Crowns Were Rebuilt with Staged Implant Reconstruction
A patient referred by her general dentist after years of aging dentistry no longer holding up. A loose upper bridge and crowns more than twenty years old, combined with the effects of advanced periodontal disease and severely compromised tooth abutments, required a staged surgical and restorative plan delivered with comfort planning at the same time.
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