Dental implants are pretty successful as replacements for lost teeth. So long as they’re correctly placed, their success rate ten years after surgery is over 95%! However, even these prosthetics can face a few problems at times. Your dental implant may loosen over time, putting your treatment and mouth at risk. Luckily, your Jonesboro dentist can explain what to do about this issue. Read on to learn how you should respond when your dental implant feels loose.
Why Would Dental Implants Loosen?
Firstly, note that a loose dental implant can have varying causes. Which one applies to your case will affect the proper response.
For example, your loose dental implant(s) could be caused by:
- An Initial Overload – When a freshly placed implant endures too much pressure, it may not fuse with your jawbone correctly. This improper fusion could then cause implant looseness.
- Peri-Implantitis – Bacteria may reach the gums supporting your implant soon after surgery. In that case, you’d develop an infection that could loosen your new tooth.
- Damaged Restoration – A dental bridge, denture, or crown should be set firmly on top of your implant. Should this restoration get damaged, the cover of your implant may feel loose.
- Failed Osseointegration – Your body may not be able to grow enough bone tissue to fuse your dental implant with the jawbone. If that happens, the implant post can feel loose.
Why is a Loose Dental Implant a Big Deal?
A loose dental implant may seem harmless, but it presents a severe threat. Leaving it alone would likely harm your treatment and oral health.
You see, the source of the implant’s looseness can be a severe issue. The root problem may be an infection (see ‘peri-implantitis above) that could destroy your gum and jaw tissue. If the root cause is failed osseointegration, leaving the implant alone will allow your jaw to erode. A damaged restoration can even make a dental implant less effective, leading to struggles with eating or speaking.
What Should You Do About It?
If your dental implant feels loose, contact a local dentist immediately. They’ll have the training and resources to address your dilemma. In particular, they can likely do one of two things to treat the loose implant.
If only the crown or abutment is loose, the dentist can just replace either part. Unscrewing or detaching the old one isn’t a hard process. Once that’s done, the dentist can make or send for a suitable replacement. You’d wear a temporary restoration while you wait for the final one to be ready.
The situation gets trickier when the dental implant itself is loose. In that scenario, the only proper response is a complete removal of the post. Only then could the dentist place a new and firmly secure implant. That said, you may need a bone graft after the initial removal.
Given the facts above, don’t hesitate when your dental implant feels loose. Make sure to call your dental provider for a helpful fix!
About the Author
Dr. Shane Smith is a certified dentist based in Jonesboro, AR. Having earned his DDS from the University Tennessee Health Science Center, he’s very well-versed in all major dental fields. That means patients can trust him for preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. His advanced training also allows him to place dental implants in-house! Today, Dr. Smith practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (870)-932-2644.