Dental implants are posts that are often made from titanium and are inserted into the jawbone through the gums to replace the roots of a missing tooth. They fuse with the jawbone through osseointegration for four to six months, which makes them incredibly durable and dependable. Even though dental implants have a high success rate of 95% or more, there are still some things that can cause them to fail. Read on to learn about some of the potential causes of failure as well as what to do if you have a loose dental implant.

4 Causes of a Loose Dental Implant

When you have a loose dental implant, this often means that there is an issue with the healing process. There are several things that can cause a dental implant to feel loose or unstable, including:

• Infection – Periodontitis is an infection of the gums that’s similar to periodontal disease and occurs around the implant site. This may happen immediately after implant surgery or several months or years later. This infection attacks the jawbone that’s supporting the dental implant, which may cause it to become loose.
• Osseointegration failure – As previously mentioned, osseointegration is the process by which the dental implant fuses with the bone in the jaw. If something interrupts this process, it can lead to a loose dental implant. Some things that can impede osseointegration include smoking cigarettes, poor oral health, diabetes, and gum disease.
• Overloading – This refers to what happens when dental implants are placed under too much pressure, which impacts osseointegration. Overloading can happen when patients receive their restorations at the same time the implants are placed. It can also occur when the implants are disturbed while the patient is healing.
• Low-quality prosthetics – If the prosthetics attached to the dental implants, such as dentures, bridges, and crowns, that become unstable, they can cause dental implants to loosen because of the shifting and movement in the mouth.

How to Deal with a Loose Dental Implant

The first thing you should do if you notice that you have a loose dental implant is call your dentist. They will be able to help you set up an emergency appointment. The sooner you receive treatment, the better your chances are of having your smile successfully restored. Your dentist will examine the oral cavity to determine if the restoration is loose or if an underlying issue has caused the implant itself to loosen. Be careful when eating and chew on the opposite side of your mouth to avoid putting pressure on the loose dental implant until your dentist is able to repair it.

There are several things that can lead to a loose dental implant, but your dentist should be able to repair the damage. Be sure to see them as soon as possible so you can get your smile back on the right track!

About the Practice

Sommers Family Dentistry is home to Drs. Norman C. Sommers and Adam P. Sommers. These two talented dentists lead a team of Norwalk oral health professionals who treat patients with the care they need to have healthy smiles. If you have a loose dental implant, they can get to the bottom of the issue and do what they can to correct it. If you want more information on their services or to make an appointment, call Sommers Family Dentistry’s office at (419) 668-3606 or visit their website.