Did you know that an estimated 500,000 Americans get dental implants every year? These artificial teeth continue to gain popularity as an ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their unique placement in the jawbone. This gives them added strength and stability, providing unique advantages over other options like dentures or dental bridges.
Although dental implants are usually incredibly successful, they’re not entirely invincible. If yours feels slack, it’s natural to worry that something’s gone wrong. Continue reading to learn more about why this might happen and what you should do!
How Do I Know if My Dental Implant is Loose?
You can often tell that a prosthetic is loose if it wiggles when you touch it with your tongue or fingers. However, if you’re unsure, some additional signs that point to an underlying issue can include:
- Pain, particularly when chewing.
- Bleeding when you touch it.
- Sunken gums around the affected tooth.
- Discoloration in the area.
- The dental crown has fallen off.
What Causes Dental Implants to Become Loose?
There are typically two main reasons for an unstable implant, and they are:
- A faulty restoration. If the dental crown capping your prosthetic is wobbly, it could be due to deteriorating dental cement. When the bonding deteriorates, there’s a less stable connection to the abutment of your implant. It could also be that this portion is damaged and needs to be replaced.
- Failed osseointegration. Your artificial tooth relies on a titanium rod inserted into your jawbone for its strength. Ideally, the two fuse together through a process called osseointegration, in which enough new bone growth surrounds the pole to keep it firmly rooted. If this process isn’t completed successfully, you’re more likely to have issues.
While these are the usual culprits, there are other potential reasons for the moveable sensation, such as surgical trauma, a non-ideal placement, or complicated wound healing.
How Are Loose Dental Implants Addressed?
The treatment for your restoration depends on the reason behind its current condition. If there is a loose screw attached to the abutment, fixing the problem might be as simple as tightening it up. Similarly, if your dental crown bonding has weakened, recementing it might be all that’s required.
If the titanium rod has problems, you may need an additional bone graft to bulk up your jawbone sufficiently to fuse with the metal successfully. However, this does involve additional weeks or months of recovery and isn’t an instant fix.
Unfortunately, your loose restoration won’t resolve itself. The sooner you call your dentist, the more quickly you can get help stabilizing it!
About the Practice
At DentaCrafters PLLC, patients benefit from two dentists with decades of combined experience helping people improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. Dr. Nada and Dr. Duckett provide a full range of top-quality services conveniently under one roof. They take the time to thoroughly answer any questions or concerns you bring up, and strive to tailor treatment plans to meet your unique needs. They have the specialized training and state-of-the-art equipment required to perform the implant surgery in-office so you don’t have to seek additional providers. If you’re worried about a loose restoration, you can request an appointment on the website or call (703) 241-5775.