What Is Implant Rehabilitation?
Implant rehabilitation is the process of restoring, repairing, or replacing failing, damaged, or aging dental implants to bring your smile and function back to full health. It addresses problems like implant infection, bone loss around the implant, loose or fractured components, gum recession, or restorations that have worn out over time.
We recommend implant rehabilitation when an existing implant is no longer performing as it should, whether it was placed years ago at another practice or is showing early signs of trouble. Early intervention often saves the implant, while advanced cases may require removal and replacement.
Patients typically come to us when they notice changes around an older implant, when another provider has told them an implant is failing, or when they want a specialist second opinion before making any decisions about treatment.
Benefits, Why MD Periodontics
- Save what can be saved, many struggling implants can be rehabilitated rather than replaced when treated early by a specialist
- Specialist level diagnosis, we use 3D imaging and advanced periodontal evaluation to identify the true cause of implant problems, not just the symptoms
- Full range of solutions, from treating peri implantitis to bone grafting, gum grafting, implant removal, and full arch replacement, all under one roof
- Whole body perspective, implant failure often connects to systemic factors like inflammation, diabetes, or immune health, and we evaluate the whole person, not just the implant
- Second opinion expertise, we routinely review cases from other practices and give patients honest, specialist guidance on what is truly needed
- Beverly Hills specialist care, Dr. Moshrefi has decades of experience rescuing complex implant cases, and Dr. Daneshmand brings USC trained precision and a holistic approach to every rehabilitation plan we design together
Who Is a Candidate?
Most patients with an aging, uncomfortable, or failing implant are candidates for some form of rehabilitation. The right approach depends on the cause of the problem, the condition of the surrounding bone and gum, and your overall health, all of which we evaluate carefully.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Have an older implant that feels loose, sore, or different than it used to
- Notice gum recession, bleeding, or pus around an implant
- Have been told an implant is failing or needs to be removed
- Are unhappy with the look, fit, or function of an existing implant restoration
- Have a fractured crown, abutment, or screw on an existing implant
- Want a specialist second opinion before agreeing to extensive treatment
- Have multiple aging implants and are considering full mouth rehabilitation
Patients with uncontrolled gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy grinding habits, active tobacco use, or significant bone loss may need preparatory treatment before rehabilitation can move forward.
The Process
- Comprehensive Evaluation and 3D Imaging. We begin with a thorough exam, full medical history review, and a 3D cone beam CT scan to assess the implant, surrounding bone, and gum tissue. This shows us exactly what is happening below the surface.
- Personalized Diagnosis and Plan. Together, we identify the root cause, whether infection, bone loss, mechanical failure, or restoration wear, and map out a clear plan. We review every option, from conservative therapy to full replacement, with honest guidance on what each approach can achieve.
- Targeted Treatment. Depending on your case, treatment may include deep cleaning around the implant, laser therapy for peri-implantitis, bone or gum grafting, replacing damaged components, or removing and replacing the implant entirely.
- Healing and Integration. Recovery time depends on the procedures performed. Soft-tissue treatments heal within days to weeks, while grafting and replacement implants integrate over 3 to 6 months. We monitor your healing closely at every stage.
- Final Restoration and Long-Term Care. Once healing is complete, we place your new or restored crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration and design a maintenance plan to protect your investment in the long run.
Recovery and What to Expect
Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after placement. Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness are common for the first few days and respond well to ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
Aftercare basics:
- Stick to soft foods for the first week
- Avoid the surgical site when brushing for several days, then resume gentle cleaning
- Rinse with warm salt water as we direct
- Skip strenuous exercise for 3 to 5 days
- Avoid smoking, which significantly slows healing
- Keep all follow-up appointments so we can monitor integration
Call our office if you experience heavy bleeding that does not slow within an hour, severe pain not relieved by medication, fever over 101°F, persistent numbness, or swelling that worsens after day three.
FAQ
Not always, but more often than most patients are told. Early intervention by a specialist can rescue many implants that would otherwise be removed. We give you an honest assessment based on what your imaging and exam actually show.
Not always, but more often than most patients are told. Early intervention by a specialist can rescue many implants that would otherwise be removed. We give you an honest assessment based on what your imaging and exam actually show.
The most common causes are peri implantitis, a bacterial infection around the implant, bone loss, gum recession, heavy bite forces, and mechanical issues like loose or fractured components. Systemic factors like diabetes, smoking, and inflammation also play a role.
Peri implantitis is an infection of the gum and bone surrounding an implant, similar to gum disease around natural teeth. Left untreated, it leads to bone loss and implant failure. Caught early, it is highly treatable, and treating it early is one of the most important steps in saving an implant.
Many plans offer partial coverage for implant-related treatments, especially when there is documented infection or damage. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket costs clearly before treatment begins.
No. Treatments are performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report far less discomfort than they expected. We offer sedation options for longer or more complex procedures.
Simple cases can be completed in one or two visits. Complex cases involving grafting or implant replacement typically span 3 to 9 months from start to finish, allowing proper healing at each stage.
Yes. We routinely treat patients whose implants were placed elsewhere. We do not need original records to evaluate and treat your case, though we will request them when helpful.
When removal is the right choice, we can often place a new implant immediately or after a healing period, depending on the condition of your bone. We design a complete replacement plan so you are never without a long-term solution.
Age alone does not cause failure, but older implants placed before modern surgical techniques and materials sometimes show issues sooner. Regular specialist evaluation catches problems early, when they are still easy to address.
Periodontists are the specialists trained in the supporting structures of teeth and implants, including the bone and gums, where most implant problems begin. Complex implant rehabilitation is a periodontal specialty, and it is exactly the work Dr. Moshrefi and Dr. Daneshmand do every day at MD Periodontics.
Yes. Chronic infection and inflammation around a failing implant can affect your immune system and contribute to systemic inflammation. Resolving these issues supports both your oral health and your overall well-being.
