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Dental implants are one of the most reliable and natural-looking tooth replacement options available today. They restore oral function, improve confidence, and, with proper care, can last for decades! While implant complications are rare, one issue that patients sometimes face is a loose implant—which if left unaddressed, might mean imminent implant failure. Understanding why this happens and knowing how to respond can make all the difference in the world. Here’s what you need to know.
How Can Dental Implants Loosen?
Dental implants are designed to act like natural tooth roots, anchoring securely into the jawbone and providing excellent stability for custom-made replacement teeth. Compared to other tooth replacement options, they can last for much longer, restore biting power, and even prevent the jawbone loss that occurs due to missing teeth. These advantages have led to them being viewed as the gold standard for addressing tooth loss, and they even boast an impressive 95% success rate.
However, implants can still encounter infrequent issues, such as looseness, that eventually lead to total failure. While the restoration component can become loose, it’s also possible for the implant post itself to become unstable if it did not heal properly. Gum disease or infection can also damage the supporting tissues surrounding the implant post, causing it to loosen. Other external factors, like teeth grinding, can also place excess pressure on the implants that eventually cause looseness.
What Are Some Obvious Signs of Dental Implant Problems?
Knowing the warning signs can help you catch issues early before they worsen. The feeling that your implant or crown/bridge/denture is moving is cause for concern, as is any swelling, redness, or tenderness in the gums around the implant. Also, let your dentist know if you feel pain or discomfort when biting or chewing, or if there’s pus or bleeding near the implant site. You also need to keep your eyes peeled for gum recession or visible gaps around the implant, as these signs could indicate the presence of gum disease.
If you notice movement or discomfort with one of your implants, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, attempting to adjust or fix things yourself, and call your dentist immediately. They will evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action—but rest assured, with prompt treatment, many issues, including looseness, can be resolved, and your implant can continue to serve you well for many years to come!
About the Practice
Our team here at Baytown Gentle Dental has served the needs of patients and families in Baytown and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide variety of services, including dental implants placed here in-house by Dr. Seif himself, who completed his dental implant training at the prestigious Pikos Institute. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up a consultation, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (281) 837-9122.