Dental implants are prosthetic tooth roots that provide a stable base for false teeth. Dental implants are designed to be durable.
However, they can still become loose for a variety of reasons, including poor-quality materials, peri-implantitis, failed osseointegration, loose dental abutments, and loose dental implant crowns.
To guarantee that your loose dental implant is accurately diagnosed, make an appointment with a dentist as soon as you can. Your dentist will help you repair your smile.
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What Causes Dental Implant To Become Loose?
A healthy dental implant should remain stable because it is secured in the jawbone. When you notice a slight movement, your dental implant may become loose. In some cases, a dental implant becomes loose because of five primary reasons.
1. Failed Osseointegration
The biological process through which the dental implant fuses with your jawbone is called osseointegration. Your dental implant may not be undergoing osseointegration properly if it feels loose. Patients who smoke, have insufficient jawbone density, or have underlying medical conditions frequently experience failed osseointegration.
2. Loose Dental Implant Abutment
A metal connector that is connected to your tooth implant is called a dental implant abutment. The abutment firmly secures the dental implant crown in place. In rare cases, the implant may become loose because the abutment has begun to unfasten from it. In most cases, a loose abutment causes little discomfort. Usually, it can be fixed without damaging the rod or crown. Abutments frequently become loose as a result of trauma, poor-quality materials, bad positioning, or overload.
3. Loose Dental Implant Crown
A dental implant crown is an artificial tooth that is mounted on a dental implant and receives the same durability as a real tooth. In some cases, your dental implant could still be in good shape and only the crown has become loose. Micro movements may occur in the implant crown as a result of wear and tear, which is frequently brought on by trauma or excessive tooth grinding.
4. Peri-implantitis
A bacterial infection called peri-implantitis causes swelling of the peri-implant mucosa and deterioration of the bone that supports the implant. The cause of this infection is the bacterial development close to the dental implant, just below the gum. The tooth implant may become loose as a result.
5. Poor-Quality Materials
In some circumstances, a dentist may choose to use aftermarket parts to cut down costs. This suggests that you might not be able to get components created by the implant’s maker to fit perfectly. It can eventually result in a loose dental implant if the components aren’t precisely fitted.
What Are the Symptoms of Loose Dental Implant?
Most patients can feel their dental implants with their tongues or fingers to see if they become loose. Below are the common signs of a loose dental implant.
- Pain from the implant site
- Bleeding around the implant
- Swollen gums
- Unusual gum recession
- Slight movement of the prosthetic tooth
- Discoloration in the impacted site
- Difficulty in biting or chewing
See your dentist right away if you encounter these symptoms. After a clinical examination and x-ray, the primary cause will then be determined. In some cases, it’s possible that the tooth implant itself is not loose.
What Should I Do To Fix Loose Dental Implant?
When you initially notice the implant loosening, refrain from touching or moving it in any way. Additionally, you must refrain from eating on or brushing the implant site. As soon as you notice that your dental implant is becoming loose, you need to visit a dentist right away. Your dentist will ask you about your symptoms and perform a thorough oral examination to check for an infection, inflammation, or broken implant. To find the main cause of your loose dental implant, your dentist will run an x-ray or CT scan. Your dentist will be able to choose the best course of treatment for you based on the results. Early treatment can prevent dental implant failure, further procedures, and increased costs. Without treatment, a loose dental implant may result in further complications that may require dental implant repair.
How to Prevent Dental Implants From Becoming Loose?
There are a number of precautions you can take to lessen the risk of a loose dental implant.
- Get treatment right away if you or your dentist suspect gum disease
- Choose an experienced and skilled implant dentist
- Limit your intake of crunchy or hard foods
- Maintain proper oral hygiene every day
- Keep up with your regular dental checkups
- Follow the dental implant aftercare guidelines provided by your dentist
- Sneeze or blow your nose softly if you must
Dentistry At Its Finest and Dr. Michael Ayzin can help you with any issues with your dental implants.
