Dental implants boast a success rate of over 95%, making them a sound investment in your oral health. However, they can come loose or even fail in rare cases. A loose or dislodged dental implant is a serious problem that requires the attention of a qualified dentist to prevent pain, infections, or the need for the implant to be replaced. Here’s a brief guide to what you should do when you have a loose implant so you can come to the best possible result.
How Did My Dental Implant Become Loose?
Loose dental implants are usually caused by factors such as poor oral hygiene, noncompliance with aftercare instructions after receiving them, and using the teeth to open packages or bottles or to chew on non-food items. Dental implants typically come loose in one of two ways:
The crown isn’t seated properly
This is the most common way in which implants come loose, and it is rather easy to resolve. If only the crown is loose, it is probably because the cement anchoring the crown to the implant has deteriorated. This can usually be addressed by recementing the crown in place, manufacturing and placing a new one, or fixing the abutment piece that anchors it in place.
The implant is loose at the root
The situation is more serious if the dental implant is moving around in the gum tissue. If this happens, it is most likely that the implant is breaking away from the jawbone or has failed to fuse with it properly. A failing implant usually must be replaced, which may require preparatory treatments such as bone grafts.
When Should I Call My Dentist?
If you have found that your dental implant is loose, the first thing to do is to call your dentist. If you reach the office after business hours, leave a detailed message including your name, phone number, and a brief description of your situation so that the staff can get back to you. Though urgent, a loose dental implant doesn’t usually count as an emergency, so it can generally wait until the next business day.
Your dentist will probably ask questions like:
- Do you feel any pain?
- Is it just the crown that is loose or is the whole implant moving around in your gums?
- How loose is your implant?
- Has the implant fallen out completely?
Once your dentist has the information they need, they’ll be able to book you for an appointment to have the issue addressed. By paying attention to the condition of your dental implants, you can catch problems in their early stages so they can be addressed before they cause more harm.
About the Author
Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj earned his dental degree from the Loyola University of Dental Surgery, where he graduated with clinical honors. He holds Fellowships with the Doctors for Oral Conscious Sedation and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. His offices in Downers Grove and Lemont, IL offer general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. If you think your dental implant has come loose, contact him online or dial the Downers Grove location at (630) 968-8439 or the Lemont location at (630) 243-8300.