Many experts consider dental implants the gold standard of replacement teeth because of their unique placement in your jawbone. Unlike dentures or bridges, these restorations include a support rod that fuses with your jaw to become a more permanent part of your mouth. As a result, they tend to be stronger and last longer than the alternatives.
But that doesn’t mean that they are invincible. If yours feels loose or wobbly, it might point to an underlying issue that requires treatment before your new tooth is dislodged. Continue reading to learn more about how to handle a destabilized dental implant!
How Do I Know if My Dental Implant is Loose?
The dental implant procedure has an incredibly high success rate of over 90%, meaning that you’re unlikely to develop complications or experience failure as long as you follow your provider’s post-operative instructions carefully.
However, even if you stick to their orders like glue, there’s a chance that you might develop an issue following surgery that destabilizes your restoration. Some signs that your new tooth is loose might include:
- Feeling the artificial tooth moving when you touch it gently with your tongue or finger.
- Experiencing pain when you bite down or chew.
- Noticing sunken-in or darkly toned gum tissues around your implant.
- The restoration anchored to the support rod seems wobbly.
What Causes Loose Dental Implants?
Some patients experience issues during their recovery period after their implant has been placed, while others develop concerns years following its successful placement. There are several potential reasons it might feel loose, such as:
- Incorrect placement or positioning during surgery.
- Developing peri-implantitis or other gum disease that deteriorates the tissues anchoring it in place.
- Failed osseointegration due to insufficient jawbone density.
- Smoking or using tobacco products.
- Teeth-grinding, nail-biting, and other bad habits.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages that dissolved the cement holding your restoration in place.
How Should I Handle a Loose Dental Implant?
You’ll need your dentist’s help to identify and treat the underlying cause of your destabilized tooth, and acting quickly can help you prevent it from failing. As soon as you notice a problem, contact your provider to schedule an appointment.
They’ll examine your condition and may take X-rays or other images to see beneath the surface to identify the problem. Then, they can provide salvage services to help stabilize your new tooth to safeguard your smile.
The faster you contact your dentist, the sooner they can get to work repairing your dental implant to help protect your investment and preserve your dental health!
About the Practice
Patients at CityLine Dental Center benefit from two providers who share 30+ years of combined experience helping them build and maintain beautiful, healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Stampe and Dr. Gater are both highly accomplished individuals who collaborate to deliver a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs under one roof. They partner with local implant specialists to help ensure a successful procedure, then provide customized restorations designed to resemble your natural enamel and connective tissues for beautiful results you can feel proud of. If your implant feels loose, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (972) 231-9499.