Are you suffering from a loose dental implant? This problem can be worrisome for anyone who has invested in these long-lasting prosthetics. The idea of all your time and money suddenly fading away is likely to cause you to panic; however, there’s no need to assume the worst. Your dentist can implement various techniques and methods to save your smile, so keep reading.
What Can Cause a Dental Implant to Become Loose?
When a dental implant becomes loose, it’s often referred to as dental implant failure. This means that a problem has occurred, resulting in the implant no longer being fully attached to the bone tissues.
This can happen for many reasons, some of the most common being:
- Peri-implantitis (a form of gum disease)
- Facial trauma
- Improper placement
- Failed osseointegration caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, or certain health conditions
- Infection
You’re likely to know if there is a problem because you may experience discomfort while chewing, you may notice that the tooth feels loose, you may notice discoloration around the tooth, and you may notice that your gums appear sunken-in.
How Can a Loose Dental Implant Be Treated?
There is good news when it comes to treating a loose dental implant. Although not an ideal situation, a dentist can implement dental implant salvage.
Depending on the initial cause, you may undergo periodontal treatment, bone grafting, or complete dental implant replacement.
Most dentists will do everything possible to save the existing implant and thus your smile, but it ultimately depends on the severity of the existing problem.
With peri-implantitis, periodontal treatment is required. The bacteria attacking gum tissues must be addressed. If gum pockets have formed, it may be necessary to remove the implant post (not always), perform a bone grafting procedure, and allow the area to fully heal.
If facial trauma or failed osseointegration is the problem, the dental implant will have to be removed and proper treatment applied. Once you’re fully healed, we can discuss inserting a new dental implant.
Should your dental implant be loose because of a health condition or unhealthy habit you cannot give up, there may be a discussion to pursue an alternative option.
Dental implants are known to have high success rates, so the likelihood that a loose post will occur is slim; however, knowing what to look for and being confident in your dentist’s ability to address the problem can lead to positive results.
About Grand Dental – Lockport
At Grand Dental – Lockport, dental implants serve as one of the most popular tooth replacement solutions available. With many patients looking for a longer-lasting alternative to dentures and dental bridges, we can rebuild smiles with a more superior form of care. If you’re already living with these prosthetics but feel there might be a problem, visit our website or call (815) 240-8068.