Reasons Why Your Dental Implant Feels Loose and What to Do About It
December 12, 2018
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are meant to be permanently secure, although sometimes this doesn’t prove to be the case. Dental implants consist of three parts that act as a unit to be kept strongly fitted onto the jaw. The crown, abutment and implant fixture may all play a part in the movement of your dental implant. Still wondering why your dental implant feels loose? Keep reading to find out the potential reasons why your dental implant feels unsteady and the symptoms you should watch out for!
The symptoms of a loose dental implant
- Pain
- Discoloration around your implant
- Bleeding upon touch
- Bleeding around the implant
- Bone loss and sunken gums
- Painful or swollen gums around the tooth
- Inability to bite or chew
- Sensation of the artificial tooth moving around
If you’ve been feeling any of the above (apart from the obvious – your implant feeling loose), it most likely means you have a loose dental implant or crown. You don’t want to leave this untreated in the hopes it’ll go away on its own as this can have terrible health repercussions!
An untreated loose implant runs the risk of a severe infection that could spread from your mouth and jaw to your face and neck! Why take a big risk? Reach out to our dental experts today!
What causes a loose dental implant?
There are a few reasons as to why you may be experiencing a loose dental implant. Our experts have outlined the most common factors below:
Loose Abutment
The top of your implant has a hollow area that an attachment (known as an abutment) gets screwed into. This abutment sticks out of the gum and your crown is cemented on top of it. At times it’s possible for the abutment will begin to unthread from the implant, making it loose. This is a pretty straightforward problem to address and it doesn’t affect the actual implant. Visit our dentist to have the abutment checked and tightened.
Loose Crown
Since the crown is held on with cement, the seal can be broken causing the crown to become unglued. This is a simple solution that will just require more cement to be reattached. It will be back to normal after a quick visit to the dentist.
Gum Disease and Bone Loss
Getting gum disease around your implant (or more accurately put, a case of “peri-implantitis”) is a serious issue. The infection from gum disease eats away at the jaw bone that holds the dental implant in place. The bone can deteriorate so much that the implant doesn’t have anything to hold it in place.Ultimately the implant will fall out. Some symptoms of an infection include fever, redness, swelling and leaking pus. Go into emergency dental services if you suspect an infection in the implant as early intervention is crucial.
In order to prevent peri-implantitis, gum disease and bone loss, you’ll need to have an excellent home care routine and visit our Melton dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.
Osseointegration Problems:
Once the implant has been placed on to your jawbone, the process of healing (also known as osseointegration) should ideally have the surrounding bone growing over the implant in order to secure a more concrete bond. Osseointegration can fail to take place if:
- Your body has a weak healing system that’s jeopardised
- If the surgery occurs under undue pressure or if the implant forms an inadequate bond due to not having enough healthy bone to support it.
You won’t have to wait long to notice the symptoms. However, if this happens soon after the surgery takes place, you can schedule a swift appointment with our dentist!
Overexerting the Implant
Putting too much pressure on the implant too soon, such as by chewing hard foods or grinding teeth, can cause it to loosen. Carefully follow the post-operative instructions given by the dentist. Avoid hard foods and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. If the implant becomes loose, visit our dentist to discuss options for stabilisation or replacement.
What to do if your implant falls out
First things first, you need to keep the crown, screw or other part safely stored away in a container while you make an emergency appointment with your dentist. Immediate intervention heightens the likelihood of saving the implant. You can rinse your mouth out with a mouthwash in the meanwhile- but make sure this has NO alcohol in it. Also, avoid chewing food on this side of your mouth.
How can you prevent this from happening?
For future reference, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of dealing with a loose dental implant.
- If you suffer from gum disease, make sure to have this treated by our dentists.
- Follow the after-care instructions outlined by out dentist at the appointment
- Make it a point to brush and floss regularly!
We Can Help!
A loose dental implant can be alarming, but understanding the possible causes and knowing what steps to take can help you address the issue effectively. Regular dental check-ups and following the dentist’s advice are key to ensuring the longevity and success of your dental implants. When you’re a patient of Melton Dental Group, you’ll see why the local families have trusted our Melton dentist to take care of their oral health needs for over 25 years. We look forward to seeing you!