Once your dental implants form a lasting bond with your jawbone, they should stay firmly in place at all times. As such, if one of your implant posts seems to be loose, it’s a serious cause for concern and could be a sign of dental implant failure. This isn’t a problem that will go away on its own; you need to take the right steps to address it as promptly as possible. Below is a brief overview of what you need to know when it comes to handling a seemingly loose dental implant.
What Can Cause a Loose Dental Implant?
There are a few possible explanations for a loose dental implant:
- Advanced Gum Disease: If gum disease is left untreated, it can significantly damage the tissues responsible for holding the implant post in place.
- Failed Osseointegration: Osseointegration is when the implant post fuses with the bone in your jaw. In some cases, osseointegration may fail to occur, leaving you with an unstable dental implant.
- Loose Crown: Sometimes the issue may not even lie with the implant post itself; the crown it supports may have simply come loose after you ate something sticky or put too much pressure on it.
What Should You Do About a Loose Dental Implant?
As soon as you realize that one of your dental implants has come loose, your first step should be to reach out to your periodontist and let them know what’s going on. They may ask you a few questions to get a full picture of your situation. Then they will set up an appointment so that you can get the care you need.
Until you can get to your periodontist’s office, you will need to take the appropriate measures to protect your loose implant post. You should avoid biting down on it directly; when you chew your food, keep it on the other side of your mouth. If you need to brush your teeth, you should be very gentle around the area where the implant post in question is located.
During your appointment, your periodontist will carefully examine your mouth and identify the root of the problem. Then they’ll determine what steps need to be taken for dental implant salvage based on your specific situation. This may involve bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or other procedures.
It may or may not be possible to save a loose dental implant. In some cases, the post may simply need to be removed altogether so that the underlying problem can be properly treated. However, once your mouth is healthy again, it may be possible to have a new implant post placed.
Discovering a loose dental implant can be alarming, but as long as you take the right steps to address the problem, you can get the care you need and ultimately protect your rebuilt smile.
About the Author
Dr. David Handsman studied periodontology at the University of Tennessee. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and he is a sought-after lecturer who often shares his knowledge of periodontology with his peers. At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, he has helped many patients replace their missing teeth with dental implants, and he offers effective salvage options for patients with failed implant posts. If you’re interested in getting dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Handsman at his practice in Worcester by visiting his website or calling (508) 753-5444.
