Loose Dental Implants? Here’s What You Should Do!

You love your dental implants. Since you got them, you’ve been able to eat steak, chips, corn on the cob, and many other foods you thought you’d never be able to enjoy again. But one day, as you take a bite out of a juicy, crisp apple, you feel your solid replacement teeth move slightly. Your dental implants feel loose. You stop cold—could something be wrong? What should you do about it? Should you worry? Is it worth making an appointment with your dentist? Read on for the answers and to learn what you can do if you have loose dental implants.

What Part of My Implant Is Loose?

This may seem like a strange question to ask yourself at first, but it can help you know if you need a simple fix or if something more serious is going on with your implants. Determine whether the entire implant feels loose, or is it only the restoration? If the crown, bridge, or denture on top of your implants is the only thing that’s loose, you can breathe a little easier.

Why Are My Dental Implants Loose?

To understand the factors that can affect your implants, you have to look at what your smile has endured. Perhaps you were bumped in the mouth while playing basketball, or you chomped on ice even though you know you probably shouldn’t, breaking the restoration’s bond with the implant post(s). Although your replacement teeth are artificial, these scenarios can cause trouble with your dental implants. Then again, after many years of use, restorations may require replacement to keep your smile functioning and looking its best.

In some cases, the problem may be more serious. For example, an infection called implantitis affects the gum and bone tissues that support dental implants, causing these teeth to feel loose or even come out completely.

What Should I Do with a Loose Implant?

Your first move with loose implants is to give your dentist a call. They can schedule an immediate appointment to properly diagnose and treat the problem. If the restoration is still useable, your dentist can reattach it quickly, but keep in mind that it may need to be replaced with a new one.

If your entire dental implant is loose, post included, your dentist may need to perform more intensive treatment to prevent failure.

Having loose replacement teeth can be unnerving to say the least, but if you reach out to your dentist as soon as possible, you may be able to address the problem while preserving your implants. While the best way to deal with loose dental implants is to prevent them from occurring in the first place through proper oral care, your dentist can help you get back to enjoying your favorite foods!