Like any medical procedure, dental implants can fail. The failure rate of implants is low, with only about 5-10% of patients experiencing failure. Dental implant failure can be mitigated by taking into account factors of success. The chances of implant failure are higher in patients who have gum disease, who smoke, who have insufficient or weak jawbone, or who have conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis that can impede healing. Dental implant failure can occur early after the procedure or much later. Early failure factors include an infection at the surgical site, insufficient bone to support the implant hardware, allergic reaction, poor adherence to post-op instructions, and micromovements of the hardware. Late failure factors include tissue and nerve damage at the implant site, foreign body rejection, and injury to the face or jaw that physically dislodges the implant. Signs of failure include problems chewing, pain, swelling, and gum recession.