When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are the most common solution to improve the natural appearance and comfort. Dental implants are also likely to last for years – they’re sturdy, can prevent further tooth loss and are the most natural-looking solution. However, there is a small risk of dental implants failing, so what do you do if your dental implant is loose?
There are a number of reasons as to why your dental implant might be loose and often, most of these reasons have nothing to do with a failed dental implant itself. If your dental implant is loose, then before you start worrying, here are some things you can do whilst waiting for your dentist appointment.
A dental implant is a screw that is placed into your jaw bone and then to which a replacement tooth is fixed. If one tooth needs to be replaced, then a single crown implant is often what is used, whereas if more than one tooth needs to be replaced, then a dental bridge, or all on 4 dental implants, will likely be installed.
Many patients that have issues with dental implants often wonder what has happened when their dental implant is loose. A healthy dental implant will stay fixed and stable in the mouth as it is secured to the jawbone and should not move or wiggle. In most cases, when a dental implant becomes loose, it is within one week of the implant being fitted and it has failed to bond with the jawbone. This then causes the implant to be loose.
However, in most cases, a loose implant has nothing to do with the screw that has been implanted into your jaw. The problem can often come from the artificial tooth that is attached to the implant and this can be down to impact or everyday wear and tear.
Both early and late-stage dental implant failure can often be signalled by some of the following complications:
Whilst these aren’t exclusive symptoms of implant failure, if you experience any of the above symptoms, then please give us a call so that we can get you in as soon as possible to provide an examination of your dental implants and establish if your dental implant is loose or not.
If you’ve had your implants for a while and have noticed that one has started to feel loose, then the problem could be down to bone loss. Sometimes, an infection can be the cause and this can then impact your implant and cause it to move around. When your dental implant is loose, catching the problem early is important, so try to make an appointment with us as soon as possible.
Whether you have one single dental implant or a dental bridge, dental implants are a great option that can replace teeth that were lost. Dental implants need to be maintained and issues can appear even years after being first fitted. Routine dental care and maintenance is important with dental implants and this can help prevent any damage or loosening of the implant.
If one of your implants is loose, then it’s best not to assume what the issue is. It’s important that, as soon as you notice that your dental implant is loose, you contact us to make an appointment with our team of dentists and implant specialists so that we can get you in and carry out investigations as to what is going on below the surface.
