What to Do About a Loose Dental Implant

Dental implant failure is very rare. In fact, it only occurs about 5% of the time. Of course, that doesn’t negate the fact that it’s a problem that needs to be addressed immediately if you want to have any hope of saving your newly restored smile. A loose dental implant is one of the most common forms of implant failure, so it’s essential that you be able to recognize the risk factors and know how to deal with the condition if necessary. In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know to be prepared to deal with loose implants.

What Causes a Loose Dental Implant?

A loose dental implant means one of two things: either the implant is no longer joined with the surrounding bone tissue, or it was never joined in the first place. There are multiple reasons why either event might occur:

• Failed Osseointegration: Osseointegration is the process where the jawbone fuses with the dental implant. However, if your body’s natural healing processes are impaired in some way, or if there’s not enough bone tissue in the area, then osseointegration won’t take place.
• Infection: A condition called peri-implantitis, which is similar to gum disease, can form around the implant post as a result of poor oral hygiene. The inflammation can lead to bone loss, resulting in a loose implant.
• Overloading: If too much pressure is placed on the implant while your mouth is still recovering, osseointegration may not take place properly.
• Loose Prosthetics: Sometimes the denture, bridge, or crown supported by implants can become loose and shift around whenever they bite or chew. This movement puts additional pressure on the implant and can contribute to overloading.

What Should You Do if an Implant Loosens?

You should call your dentist the moment your dental implant feels loose. If it’s just a loose prosthetic, the issue can be easily fixed, but you’ll want to act quickly before serious damage is done. In the event that there’s already a problem with the implant itself, it might still be possible to salvage the post if your dentist acts immediately. Generally speaking, though, it’s better to have loose implant remove to prevent further damage to the jawbone. Then the underlying cause of the failure can be addressed; this might involve treatment for an infection or a bone graft to increase bone density. Once the problem is solved, it’s often possible to place new dental implants.

It can be frightening to realize that a dental implant has come loose, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your new teeth. By reaching out to your dentist right away and having the issue addressed at its source, you can ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of implants for many years to come.

About Bethel Dental Clinic

Personalized service is at the heart of Bethel Dental Clinic. No matter what kind of treatment you need, our team of dentists will be there making sure you stay comfortable. Our experts are able to place dental implants in-house and can also diagnose and treat the underlying causes of dental implant failure. If you have a loose implant, get in touch with us today by visiting our website.