If you’re experiencing loose dental implant symptoms, Gordon Dental can help. While implants have an extremely high success rate, occasionally, situations may contribute to dental implant loosening within a few months or years after the implant was installed. If your implant does feel loose, it’s essential that you see an experienced provider who can intervene as quickly as possible to either repair or restore your implant.
If You Have Loose Dental Implants
Loose dental implants are often the result of an infection, complication, or inadequate support around the prosthesis. You might notice a loose implant when you’re biting down on hard foods or even brushing your teeth. The location of loose dental implants (such as upper or lower arch) can help us better determine the cause of the loosening and what needs to be done to correct it. Sometimes it’s not the actual dental implant that is the problem, but a loose implant crown on top of the artificial root.
It’s important to remember that if you apply pressure to a dental implant immediately after it’s installed, it could feel loose (because it hasn’t yet fully integrated with your jaw bone.) That’s one reason why a protective temporary implant crown or cover is placed in that space, reducing the risk of any pressure when you bite down.
Causes of a Loose Implant Crown
A loose implant crown can be due to using temporary crown cement or a failure to achieve a strong bond with the underlying abutment. Like a traditional restoration, placing a crown for dental implant therapy requires crafting the “cap” in a lab. It is separate and apart from the implant underneath. If you have a loose dental implant crown, the solution may be as simple as having Dr. Gordon recement it into place.
Parts of an Implant
To understand what makes a tooth implant loose, it helps to be familiar with the various parts of the implant replacing your missing teeth. There is an implant, which serves as the “root”, an abutment, which is the extension that is visible above the gum tissue, and then the restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or All-on-4 prosthesis, that attaches on top of the abutment. If your implant is loose, it could be any of these three key components.
Leading Cause of Implant Failure
The most common cause of implant failure is the implant form of gum disease, which we call “peri-implantitis.” Peri-implantitis can make a dental implant loose because it destroys the periodontal ligament (soft tissues and fibers around the implant) and jaw bone in that immediate location. It is not the implant itself that is failing, but rather the jaw bone and soft tissues around it becoming diseased.
Peri-implantitis is typically the result of poor home care, including a lack of brushing and flossing. Although dental implants do not develop cavities, it’s essential to keep the gums around them clean and healthy. Otherwise, they will develop inflammation and bleeding, which then jeopardize the stability of the implant at that site.
Complications During Implant Installation
In rare situations, a failed dental implant may also be due to the way it was installed. Such as if it perforates the sinus cavity lining above it. Fortunately, working with a dental implant expert like Dr. Gordon, who is capable of using bone grafts or modified installation techniques, can help avoid these upsetting complications.
If an Implant is Fully Integrated
A new dental implant that is fully integrated should essentially feel structurally sound for the rest of your life. If an implant fails or you have loose implants, it is typically due to failure of the implant to integrate with the bone in that area, or bone loss in general. Your implant feels loose simply because there is not enough bone surrounding it to hold it into place.
Dental implant integration can take 3-6 months and should never be rushed. Affixing a permanent implant crown or other restoration could apply unnecessary pressure to the area, resulting in bone loss and a loose dental implant.
Do You Need a Bone Graft?
To help avoid a loose dental implant or future implant failure, it may be necessary to place a bone graft prior to the dental implant being installed. A bone graft adds density to your jaw bone to help counteract bone loss and inadequate support. In some cases, bone grafts can also be performed at the same time the dental implants are placed.
Restore Broken Parts (Tooth Implant)
If your dental implant breaks, it is likely the dental crown (tooth cap) that has come unattached. Fortunately, our dentist can help repair the area so that you can avoid further damage.
Some dental implant patients may also experience broken abutments, which are the pieces between the crown and the actual dental implant root. A broken abutment is a more challenging dental implant failure to repair, as special tools and skills are required to access all of the areas that need to be replaced. Being that Dr. Gordon focuses on implant dentistry, we’re available to assist you in a unique situation such as this.
High Implant Success Rates
When you need to replace missing teeth, dental implants are the preferred treatment solution. Not only are implants modeled after natural teeth, but they’re also non-invasive to surrounding, healthy teeth that you’re still able to retain. Loose dental implants are extremely rare, especially when placed by an experienced dental implant provider like Dr. Gordon. We will carefully screen and assess your smile to ensure a thorough planning process for the best possible outcome.
Implant Repairs in Kansas City
Gordon Dental provides comprehensive dental implant therapy and implant restoration in Kansas City. Even if you don’t currently have healthy teeth, today’s dental implant treatments are extremely successful and proven to be the next best thing to a natural smile.
Whether you’re looking to get dental implants or have loose implants that need to be repaired, we encourage you to call us today. Dr. Gordon will be happy to assist you!