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Feeling that a dental implant has become loose is worrying, and the worst-case scenario immediately springs to mind. However, the problem may not be implant failure and can often be resolved with a simple procedure. The sooner this issue is examined, the easier it is to save the implant and protect the surrounding bone and gum tissue. In this article, we have outlined what you should do if your implant becomes loose, how your dentist can fix the situation, and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
If you feel that your implant has started to move, you should see your dentist. There may be a problem with one of the components of the dental implant — the crown, abutment or implant screw. Even if the movement is slight or painless, action should be taken as soon as possible to prevent more serious problems such as infection or bone loss.
Avoid playing with or pressing on your implant with your tongue or fingers. Keep the implant area clean by brushing it very gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse your mouth with salt water. These measures will prevent infection.
In addition, avoid chewing food on the side where the loose implant is located. This will prevent further damage to dental implant or surrounding tissues. If you feel discomfort or pain and your doctor does not see any harm in it, you can take mild painkillers such as paracetamol.
Do not attempt to remove or adjust implant crown yourself. Attempting such ‘adjustments’ at home can cause permanent damage or allow bacteria to enter beneath the gum line, increasing the risk of infection.
The longer the implant remains loose, the greater the risk of damage to the surrounding bone and gums. To avoid more serious complications, schedule an appointment with your dentist without delay.
Your dentist will first conduct an examination to determine which part of the implant system has become loose. Each of these implant parts can become loose for different reasons.
If only dental crown has become loose, the cement or screws connecting the crown to the abutment have weakened over time. In this case, the dentist removes the crown, cleans the area and then reattaches the crown using cement or screws.
If the abutment (the metal connecting piece between the implant and the crown) has become loose, the dentist first removes the crown. The abutment screw is then tightened using a dental tool. If the screw is damaged or stripped, it is replaced with a new one. The crown is then refitted. This procedure is quick and does not require anaesthesia.
If the part of the implant embedded in the bone has become loose, this indicates that osseointegration (the fusion between the bone and the implant) has not occurred or has been lost. This situation may arise due to infection (peri-implantitis), bone loss, or excessive chewing force. In this case, the dentist will take an X-ray to reassess the bone volume. If there is excessive bone loss, the implant is removed. After cleaning the area, a bone graft is applied and the implant is placed once healing is complete.
If there is no problem with bone volume and the issue is solely due to infection, then medication is administered to treat the problem.
Yes, it can be saved. Loosening of implant is very different from implant failure. Not every loose implant needs to be replaced. Depending on which part of the implant is affected and how healthy the bone support is, the dentist will recommend a treatment. If the implant cannot be saved, another implant can be placed with an additional procedure, or alternative treatment methods can be chosen.
Prevention is always easier than cure. Measures you should take to protect your dental implant from loosening:
Follow your daily dental care routine thoroughly. Rinse your mouth with salt water or mouthwash. This protects your implant from infection and prevents it from loosening.
If you have implants that have not yet osseointegrated, be sure to eat soft foods. Hard foods apply excessive pressure to the implant, causing it to loosen.
If you clench your teeth at night (bruxism), you create constant pressure that can gradually loosen implant components. Therefore, use a night guard. A night guard will protect both implants and your natural teeth.
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