Dental Implant Problems After Treatment Abroad or With Another Dentist – Support Available in Worthing

Dental implants are widely recognised as one of the most reliable and long-lasting solutions for replacing missing teeth. In recent years, many UK patients have chosen to travel abroad for implant treatment in countries such as Turkey, Romania, Portugal, Albania and India, often attracted by shorter waiting times or lower upfront costs. Others may have had implants placed elsewhere in the UK but later lost contact with their original dentist due to relocation, retirement, or changes in circumstances.
While many implant treatments are completed successfully, it is not uncommon for patients to experience concerns after returning home. These issues may arise months or even years after the original procedure and can create significant inconvenience when follow-up care is not easily accessible. For patients living in Worthing and the surrounding areas, obtaining professional local support becomes essential for maintaining long-term implant health and comfort.

Common problems patients experience with existing implants:

Patients who have received implants abroad or with another provider often contact our practice because of:

• Loose implant crowns or bridges, which may affect chewing or comfort

• Food trapping or difficulty cleaning around implant restorations

• Inflamed or bleeding gums surrounding implants, sometimes linked to peri-implant disease

• Broken ceramic, fractured screws, or worn components

• Discomfort when biting or changes in how the teeth meet

• The need for routine maintenance of full-arch bridges such as All-on-4 or All-on-6

• Full-arch implant bridges in particular require regular professional removal, deep cleaning, and refitting by a dentist who has the correct tools and clinical experience. Without proper maintenance, plaque accumulation and inflammation can develop, potentially threatening the long-term success of the implants.

• Travelling abroad or across the UK each time maintenance is required is often impractical. Many patients therefore seek a trusted local dentist who is willing and able to assess and manage implants placed elsewhere.
  
  

  Can another dentist treat implants placed by someone else?

Yes—in many cases this is possible, provided the dentist has sufficient implant experience and access to compatible instruments and components. Modern implant dentistry involves numerous implant brands, connection types, and screw systems. Successful servicing or repair depends on accurately identifying the original implant system and using the correct tools.

At our Worthing practice, we have extensive clinical experience with a wide variety of implant systems and maintain access to many of the specialised drivers, screws, and restorative components required for assessment and repair. Depending on the situation, treatment may include:

1. Retightening or replacing loose implant screws

2. Repairing or remaking crowns and bridges

3. Removing full-arch bridges for professional cleaning and maintenance

4. Treating inflammation around implants

5. Providing new restorations where existing work cannot be repaired

6. Offering long-term maintenance planning and monitoring

7. Each case is assessed individually to determine the safest and most appropriate solution.

The importance of the implant passport or documentation.

One of the most critical factors in treating implants placed elsewhere is the implant passport (sometimes called an implant card or treatment record). This document is usually provided by the original dentist and contains essential information such as:

• Implant brand and manufacturer

• Implant model and size

• Connection type and screw system

• Date of placement and restoration details

• Having this information allows a new dentist to quickly identify the correct components and tools needed for safe treatment.

Without an implant passport, identification becomes significantly more difficult.

In some situations, radiographs and clinical examination may help narrow down possibilities, but exact confirmation is not always achievable. This can limit treatment options or increase complexity. For this reason, patients are strongly advised to keep their implant documentation safe and bring it to any consultation.

Maintenance is essential for long-term implant success

Dental implants are highly successful, but they are not maintenance-free. Just like natural teeth, implants require:

Daily home cleaning with appropriate brushes or flossing aids

Regular professional hygiene visits

Periodic clinical review and radiographic monitoring

Timely management of any loosening, wear, or inflammation

Neglecting maintenance can lead to peri-implant mucositis or peri-implantitis, conditions that may cause bone loss and, in severe cases, implant failure. Early professional care significantly improves the chances of long-term stability.

Patients who had treatment abroad are sometimes unaware of the recommended UK maintenance schedule, which makes local follow-up even more important.

Our approach to assessing implants placed elsewhere:

When a patient attends our Worthing clinic with an existing implant, the first step is always a comprehensive consultation. This typically includes:

• Full clinical examination of the mouth and implant restorations

• Radiographs where required

• Review of any implant passport or previous records

• Discussion of symptoms, concerns, and expectations

• Clear explanation of available treatment options and costs

Only after careful assessment do we recommend the most suitable course of action. In some cases, simple servicing is sufficient. In others, replacement of the crown or bridge may provide a better long-term outcome.

Our aim is always to provide safe, ethical, and evidence-based care, focused on restoring comfort, function, and confidence.

Convenient local care in Worthing

For patients living in Worthing, Brighton, West Sussex, and nearby areas, accessing reliable implant support close to home removes the stress of long-distance travel. Local care means:

Faster appointments when problems arise

Ongoing maintenance without international travel

Clear communication and continuity of care

Support from a UK-regulated dental team

This is particularly valuable for patients with full-arch implant bridges, which require regular professional removal and cleaning to remain healthy.

When to seek professional advice?

You should arrange a dental assessment if you notice:

• Movement or looseness in an implant crown or bridge

• Pain, swelling, or bleeding around an implant

• Difficulty chewing or changes in bite

• Damage to the visible restoration

• Bad taste, odour, or signs of infection

• It has been more than a year since your last implant review

Early intervention is usually simpler, less invasive, and more cost-effective than waiting until a serious complication develops.

Book a consultation

If you have dental implants placed abroad or with another dentist and are experiencing concerns—or simply wish to arrange routine maintenance—professional local help is available.

You can contact our Worthing practice on 01903 821822 or visit www.dental-worthing.co.uk

 To request a consultation. Bringing any implant passport or previous records will help us assess your situation more efficiently. Our team will be pleased to provide clear guidance, practical solutions, and ongoing support to help you maintain a healthy, comfortable smile for the long term.