Dental implants are considered the gold standard for replacing teeth; they can easily restore lost pearly whites in terms of look, feel, and functionality. And better yet, they boast an impressive success rate of over 95%, even several years post-placement! That said, we live in an imperfect world, and there are unfortunately all sorts of things that pose a threat to your implants once they’ve been placed—they might even become loose and fail if you aren’t careful! Here’s more from your dentist about a few possible explanations for dental implant looseness and how the issue can be remedied.
4 Possible Explanations for Dental Implants Becoming Loose
Even though implants are surgically embedded into your jawbone, there are still several things that might cause them to loosen and ultimately fail. Here are a few possible explanations:
- Osseointegration failure – Osseointegration is the process in which your implant posts fuse with your jawbone, and it’s imperative for the success of your implants. Sometimes the body’s natural healing ability is impaired, or other times, the implant is placed in an area with insufficient bone density. Even poor oral hygiene can lead to osseointegration failure. In any case, if this process cannot occur unimpeded, your implants will inevitably loosen and fail.
- Poorly made or failing prosthetics – It’s possible for implants to loosen and fail due to the prosthetics themselves, whether it’s from a loose screw, old cement, wear and tear, or poor initial placement.
- Infection – Another common cause for implant looseness is infection; peri-implantitis is an infection similar to gum disease that attacks the tissue surrounding the implant. The gums become inflamed and irritated, which compromises the implant’s total support.
- Overloading – This occurs when a newly placed implant is exposed to unusual amounts of pressure that prevent osseointegration. It usually occurs when patients receive their false teeth simultaneously with their implant posts or can happen due to the implants being disturbed during their healing period.
How Your Dentist Can Help
It’s worth noting that when it comes to dental implants that have become loose, the solution depends solely on the problem; if the crown is loose, which is more common and often less serious, it’s generally going to be easier to address than if the implant root has become loose. In any case, contacting your dentist quickly is your best move.
They’ll be able to perform a thorough examination of your mouth in which they look for signs of infection, inflammation, or damage. In some cases, the restoration can simply be refitted or replaced as necessary. But if the problem lies within the surrounding gum or bone tissue, the treatment process will likely have additional steps and could require other procedures before replacing the implant, such as a bone graft or periodontal therapy.
Your dentist is your greatest ally when it comes to ensuring the integrity and functionality of your dental implants, so you shouldn’t hesitate to contact them if you’ve discovered that one of your implants is loose. The issue is not something that will resolve on its own and will likely lead to further problems for your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Peter Hammes received his DDS from the University of Illinois – Chicago and is a proud member of several professional dental organizations including the American Dental Association, the Illinois State Dental Association, and the Chicago Dental Association. His practice in Chicago is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including dental implants. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact Dr. Hammes through his practice’s website or over the phone for assistance: (312) 766-5412.
