An implant can develop problems for several different reasons: changes in the surrounding bone or gum, a mechanical complication, infection, the position it was placed in, or an issue with the restoration rather than the implant itself. Revision treatment starts by identifying which of those is happening, because not every failing implant needs the same answer and some do not need to be removed at all.
Assessment covers the implant itself, the soft tissue and bone around it, the bite, the restoration on top, and imaging of the site. The purpose is to answer three questions: can the implant be treated and kept, is the restoration the actual problem, or does the implant need to come out and a new plan be made. Those lead to very different treatments, so nothing is recommended until the answer is clear. That is also why revision cannot be quoted in advance.
A meaningful number of implant complaints turn out to be prosthetic rather than biological. A crown that has loosened, a component that has worn or fractured, or a bite that has changed over time can all produce symptoms a patient reasonably reads as the implant failing. Where the implant itself is stable and integrated, treatment may be limited to repairing or remaking what sits on top. Having a board-certified prosthodontist involved in the assessment is what makes that distinction reliable rather than a guess.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve managing the tissues around the implant, repairing or replacing a prosthetic component, removing the implant, grafting the site, or planning a replacement implant once healing is complete. Some of these are single appointments. Others are staged over months. You are told which pathway applies to you, and why, before treatment starts.
Where an implant cannot be kept, removal is planned rather than rushed. The site often needs rebuilding before another implant can be placed, which means grafting and a healing period rather than a same-day replacement. In the meantime the gap may be managed with a temporary solution, which is discussed as part of the plan. Knowing the full sequence in advance makes a difficult situation considerably easier to deal with.
Revision cases range from straightforward to among the most complex work in implant dentistry. The original implant position, how much bone has been lost, whether infection is present, the design of the existing prosthesis and the condition of neighbouring teeth all influence what is possible. Two patients describing identical symptoms can need completely different treatment. This is the main reason a published starting price would mislead rather than help.
Implant problems are easier to manage early than late, and several of the warning signs are things patients tend to wait on. None of these confirm a failure on their own, but each is a reason to have the implant assessed rather than monitored at home.
An assessment establishes what is actually happening before anything is recommended. That applies equally to implants placed elsewhere.
All prices in CAD · starting prices
Overall treatment
Component pricing
Quoted separately
All prices are starting prices and may vary depending on case complexity, treatment requirements, materials and other clinical factors. Final treatment costs are confirmed following consultation and treatment planning. Prices effective September 2026.
This is the one treatment on the site where a starting price would be misleading. Two implants with identical symptoms can need completely different work, and the difference is not visible until the cause is established.
Managing tissue around an implant that is otherwise sound is a small intervention. Removing an implant, grafting the site and replacing it later is several stages with their own costs.
Where the implant itself is stable and the problem is prosthetic, treatment may be limited to repairing or replacing a component.
Removal often leaves a defect that has to be rebuilt before a replacement can be placed, which adds a grafting stage and a healing period.
Neighbouring teeth, gum health and the design of the existing prosthesis all affect what is possible and what it takes.
Oral Surgery and Implants
Dr. Ali Mehdi brings over 15 years of experience in oral and implant surgery, with a focus on advanced implant dentistry and complex full-mouth rehabilitation. From routine oral surgery to advanced bone grafting and full-arch implant treatment, his approach combines surgical experience, digital technology, and individualized care.
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BDS, EDA, DABOI, MSc, Cert. Prostho, PhD
Board-Certified Specialist in Prosthodontics in Canada and Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, with extensive experience in prosthodontics and implant dentistry.
View ProfileSometimes a problem can be managed without replacing the implant, while other situations require removal or revision. The correct approach depends entirely on the cause, which is why assessment comes before any recommendation.
There can be biological causes such as infection or loss of supporting bone, mechanical causes involving the implant or its components, and restorative causes where the problem lies with the crown or bridge rather than the implant. Examination and imaging identify which applies in an individual case.
Yes. Assessment of implants placed elsewhere is routine, and a second opinion carries no obligation to have any further treatment here.
Movement, bleeding or soreness around the implant, gum receding at the margin, a crown that feels loose or high, or discomfort when biting are all worth having looked at. None confirms a failure on its own, but problems are easier to manage early.
Replacement may be possible in selected cases. Bone and soft-tissue condition, infection control and the state of the original site all affect both feasibility and timing, and replacement is often staged rather than immediate.
Sometimes. Removing an implant can leave a defect that needs rebuilding before another can be placed. Whether that applies is established from imaging and examination.
It depends on whether the implant is retained, and on whether grafting is needed after removal. Staged treatment is measured in months. A case-specific sequence is provided after diagnosis.
Revision is case dependent and is quoted only after diagnosis and treatment planning. Component prices such as replacement implant placement from $999 and grafting from $1,000 are published so you can see how a quote is built.
Sedation options may be considered depending on the procedure and your needs. IV sedation with a specialist anesthesiologist starts at $800.
Patients travel to us from White Rock, South Surrey, Surrey, Langley, Delta and across the Fraser Valley. Our team also speaks Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, and we accept referrals from dentists throughout the Lower Mainland.
Book a consultation with Apple Dental Specialists in White Rock. The team will review your goals and clinical findings, explain the treatment options that may be appropriate, and confirm the plan and final costs before care begins.
