How can I prevent peri-implantitis?

The basics are controlling bacterial plaque around the implant with floss and interdental brushes and checking the condition of the gums and bone at regular checkups. Implants have no nerve, so you feel pain late, which is why checkups are needed even without symptoms.

What if my lip or chin stays numb after an implant?

If abnormal sensation continues after the anesthesia should have worn off, a nerve evaluation may be needed, so tell the clinic that did the procedure right away. Whether and how long recovery takes depends on the degree of injury.

Food keeps getting stuck around my implant. Is that a complication?

It may have a structural cause such as the shape of the prosthesis or gum recession, and if left alone it can lead to peri-implantitis, so it should be checked. Adjusting the prosthesis sometimes improves it.

Can a new implant be placed where one failed?

In many cases, re-placement is considered after the inflamed tissue is cleaned out and the site heals. Depending on the degree of bone loss, a bone graft may be needed and the overall time can be longer.

What if I get sinusitis-like symptoms after an upper jaw implant?

The upper back teeth area is close to the maxillary sinus, so related inflammation sometimes occurs. If a stuffy nose, runny nose, or cheekbone pain persists, a dental evaluation is needed, and joint care with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor may be needed.

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Dental Implant Complications and Failure: Peri-Implantitis, Nerve Numbness, Sinus Problems, and Re-Placement

Published July 16, 2026 Updated July 16, 2026 Based on official HIRA and Ministry of Health and Welfare data and public sources

In the analysis of patient comments about Dental implants, Side effects and failure formed a question cluster of about 1,442 comments. Implants can have complications. This guide covers the causes and early signs of the main types (peri-implantitis, nerve numbness, sinus inflammation) and how failed implants are removed and replaced. SOURCE Analysis of patient comments on YouTube dental content (DentStat) · public sources listed under References · Data as of June 28, 2026

Key facts

Main long-term complication	Peri-implantitis: inflammation of the surrounding gums and bone ^[2]
Early signs	Gum bleeding and swelling, bad breath, more food getting stuck: can progress without pain ^[2]
Nerve	For lower jaw implants, the distance to the inferior alveolar nerve is checked with CT before surgery ^[3]
Upper jaw	The upper back teeth area is next to the maxillary sinus: perforation can cause inflammation ^[3]
Volume of patient questions	1,442 comments on side effects and failure analyzed ^[4]

Can dental implants have complications?

Yes. Known complications include peri-implantitis, which is inflammation of the gums and bone around the implant; failure of osseointegration, in which the fixture does not bond to the bone in the early stage; abnormal sensation related to placement near the nerve in the lower jaw; and sinus problems in the upper jaw [1][3]. DentStat analyzed 1,442 patient comments on implant side effects and failure. Along with the view that “care starts after the implant is placed,” questions about inflammation, bad breath, food getting stuck, and abnormal sensation came up repeatedly [4].

Why does peri-implantitis happen, and what are the signs?

Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the gums and supporting bone around an implant caused by bacterial plaque, and as it progresses it can lead to bone loss and loosening [2]. Unlike natural teeth, implants have no nerve, so pain is felt late, and because there is no periodontal ligament, inflammation is explained as possibly progressing relatively quickly [2].

The following are cited as early signs [1][2].

Swollen gums or bleeding when brushing
Food continually getting stuck around the implant or worsening bad breath
Gums receding and exposing the metal (screw) area
The prosthesis feeling loose or uncomfortable when chewing

In the patient comment analysis, food getting stuck, bad breath, and receding gums were also the most frequently mentioned group of symptoms in the side effects theme [4].

Why does numbness of the lip or chin happen?

The inferior alveolar nerve, which provides sensation to the lip and chin, runs through the lower jaw, and if an implant is placed close to this nerve, abnormal sensation can occur in rare cases [3]. For this reason, checking the distance to the nerve canal with CT before surgery is described as standard practice [3]. If numbness continues after the anesthesia should have worn off, you need to tell the clinic that did the procedure right away, and whether and how long recovery takes depends on the degree of injury [3].

Why do sinusitis-like symptoms happen after an upper jaw implant?

The upper back teeth area is close to the maxillary sinus, a space beside the nose, so if the fixture invades the sinus lining or causes a perforation, it can lead to inflammation (sinusitis) [1][3]. If a stuffy nose, yellow nasal discharge, or pain on one cheekbone persists after the procedure, a dental evaluation is needed, and an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) evaluation may also be needed [3]. In the upper jaw where bone height is insufficient, implants are sometimes placed after the space is built up with a sinus lift [1].

If an implant fails, can it be removed and replaced?

It is often possible, but with conditions. An implant that failed to integrate or has lost bone due to peri-implantitis is removed, the inflamed tissue is cleaned out, and after a healing period, re-placement is considered [1]. Depending on the degree of bone loss, a bone graft may be needed and the overall time can be longer, and identifying the cause of failure first (hygiene, bite, smoking, systemic illness, and so on) is a prerequisite for planning re-placement [1][2]. In the patient comments, many people expressed anxiety about responsibility and cost if an implant fails, and there was strong interest in confirming aftercare and warranty terms in writing before the procedure [4].

Common myths and facts

Myth: “Once placed, an implant lasts a lifetime.” → Fact: Implants are not permanent; their lifespan can be shortened by conditions such as peri-implantitis, and regular checkups and hygiene affect how long they last [1][2].
Myth: “Complications are always the patient’s fault for poor care.” → Fact: Hygiene is an important factor, but several factors work together, including placement position, fit of the prosthesis, bite, smoking, and systemic illness [2].
Concern raised by some: “Titanium is harmful to the body.” → Titanium has confirmed biocompatibility and is widely used in medical implants [1].

You can find the cost breakdown, health insurance criteria, and lifespan care for implants in general in the dental implant guide, gum inflammation in general in the gum disease guide, and dental clinics by region in find a dentist.

Frequently asked questions

How can I prevent peri-implantitis?: The basics are controlling bacterial plaque around the implant with floss and interdental brushes and checking the condition of the gums and bone at regular checkups. Implants have no nerve, so you feel pain late, which is why checkups are needed even without symptoms.
What if my lip or chin stays numb after an implant?: If abnormal sensation continues after the anesthesia should have worn off, a nerve evaluation may be needed, so tell the clinic that did the procedure right away. Whether and how long recovery takes depends on the degree of injury.
Food keeps getting stuck around my implant. Is that a complication?: It may have a structural cause such as the shape of the prosthesis or gum recession, and if left alone it can lead to peri-implantitis, so it should be checked. Adjusting the prosthesis sometimes improves it.
Can a new implant be placed where one failed?: In many cases, re-placement is considered after the inflamed tissue is cleaned out and the site heals. Depending on the degree of bone loss, a bone graft may be needed and the overall time can be longer.
What if I get sinusitis-like symptoms after an upper jaw implant?: The upper back teeth area is close to the maxillary sinus, so related inflammation sometimes occurs. If a stuffy nose, runny nose, or cheekbone pain persists, a dental evaluation is needed, and joint care with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor may be needed.

Find a dental clinic

Compare dental clinics by area and treatment in the area shortlists, or see nationwide figures in dental clinic statistics for South Korea.

References

National Health Information Portal: Dental Implants · Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
Information on Periodontal Disease and Peri-Implantitis · Korean Academy of Periodontology
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Information on Implant Surgery · Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Analysis of Patient Comments on YouTube Dental Content: Dental Implant Side Effects and Failure, 1,442 Comments (Collected 2026-06-28) · DentStat (Osamil Inc.)

This content is general information based on public sources and does not replace diagnosis, prescription or treatment for any individual. If you have symptoms, consult a dentist.