Can my Failed Implant be Salvaged? Bone Loss Around The Implant
Case Type II: When bone loss around an implant is getting worse, detoxification, bone grafting, and guided surgery can restore implant health and function.
When an implant loses bone on multiple surfaces, it continues to fail and creates a large defect. Ms. R presented with a failing implant having several millimeters of bone loss around it (Fig. 1). The abutment and crown were removed and stored. The implant was detoxified, then grafted with growth-factor-enhanced bone (Fig. 2). After four months, the graft matured and the abutment and crown were reseated (Fig. 3 & 4). Six years later, the bone remains intact around the implant (Fig. 5).

Fig. 1: Failing Implant with Bone Loss Around It

Fig. 2: Bone Graft Repair Complete Fig. 3: Four Months Later, Bone Is Healed Fig. 4: Abutment and Crown Reseated After Healing Fig. 5: Six Years Later, Bone Is Intact
Specialist Implant Salvage Evaluation. Failed implants with bone loss often have salvage paths. The decision depends on the implant condition, the bone available, and what the final restoration requires. Learn more about repairing failing implants, bone grafting, and precision implant placement for cases requiring replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a failed implant site be reused?
Yes - if detoxified and bone grafted, the site can support the original abutment and crown again.
How long after grafting can I have the implant restored?
Typically after 4-6 months of healing, once the graft has matured.
What does detoxification involve?
Removing bacterial biofilm and debris from the implant surface to create a clean environment for bone regeneration.
How durable is the graft long-term?
With proper care, grafted bone around implants can remain stable for 5+ years, as shown in this case.
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
Explore similar patient success stories demonstrating our expertise in advanced prosthetic dentistry.
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.
Temporary Crowns Restore Patient's Smile in Just One Day with an Immediate Smile Makeover
A patient from Potomac, Maryland, came to Elite Prosthetic Dentistry with the chief complaint of pain from a failing dental implant and its significant impact on her appearance.
Related Articles
Deepen your knowledge with additional insights on this topic.
Bone Grafting & Surgical Rejuvenating a Ruined Implant Site Having Severely Damaged Bone
Even after a failed implant and significant bone loss, it is often possible to rebuild the ridge and restore a healthy foundation for a new implant.
Bone Grafting & Surgical What is 'Ridge Augmentation' - Bone Grafting
Ridge augmentation rebuilds jawbone lost after tooth extraction or injury, creating a stable foundation for dental implants in Washington, DC.
Bone Grafting & Surgical What is a Partial (Internal) Sinus Lift?
Learn what a partial internal sinus lift is and how it gently raises the sinus membrane to create room for a dental implant. Washington, DC prosthodontist.