Dental implants are famed for their stability. Their connection to the jaw makes the durable and strong, which is what draws a lot of people to the procedure in the first place.
That being the case, if you notice that your dental implant has suddenly started to feel loose, you may rightfully be caught off guard. As much longevity as dental implants have, nothing lasts forever—here’s what you should do if you notice signs of failure in yours.
What to Do If Your Dental Implant Feels Loose
As you might have guessed, the first thing you should do if you notice a problem with your dental implant is to give your dentist a call. They’ll be able to help you determine for sure what the problem is and will likely schedule an emergency appointment for you so that you can deal with the issue as quickly as possible.
Until they can see you, you should take care not to make the situation with your dental implant any worse. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth as much as possible and try to stay away from eating anything tough or sticky.
What Can Cause a Dental Implant to Come Loose?
Dental implants have a remarkably long lifespan. It’s been found that around 95% of them last for over 20 years, and many of them last for a lifetime if they’re maintained well.
That being the case, a dental implant coming loose prematurely is indicative of something going wrong. If you’ve just gotten your implant, it may be that it didn’t fuse with the jaw properly. This can happen if you have an impaired healing factor, or if you’ve put a lot of pressure on your implant before it’s finished healing.
If you’ve had your implant for a while, you may have developed an infection. If your oral hygiene is sub-par, it’s possible for bacteria to begin to attack the jawbone under the surface of the tooth, compromising the foundation that your dental implant rests on.
If you want your implant to last as long as possible you should be careful during healing and make sure that you’re brushing and flossing every day. Keep these things in mind, and you should never have to worry about your dental implant coming loose.
About the Author
Dr. George Hoop has spent the past three decades helping countless patients get heathier, more beautiful smiles. When he looks to the future, he’s excited by the prospect of being able to assist countless more, only sharpening his skills as a clinician. Dr. Hoop received his dental degree from the Emory University School of Dentistry, and he has since honed his periodontal skills as the Piko Institute and the Misch International Implant Institute.
If you have any questions about dental implants, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (239) 939-7299.