Dental Implant Moving
One of the most appealing characteristics of dental implants is their stability; they are considered a long-term solution for missing teeth and are intended to remain firmly fixed in place in the jaw. Dental implants, once placed, should not be mobile, so if you feel a dental implant moving in your mouth, it’s important to consult with a dentist as soon as you can. Though you may be tempted to wiggle your implant with your tongue or fingers if you feel it moving, it is important that you avoid doing this, as it could dislodge the implant completely. If this happens, it is considered a dental emergency and requires immediate attention. The reality is that sometimes implants move for different reasons, though, and understanding these reasons can help you prevent a dental emergency from occurring.
Natural teeth are held in the mouth by the tissues of the periodontium, primarily the periodontal ligament. This ligament is made of a collection of stretchy fibers that allow the teeth to move very slightly when needed to resist or accommodate force. However, if the natural teeth move more than about a hundredth of an inch, it is likely that gum disease is present and a dental visit is recommended. Because dental implants are affixed directly into the bone and are not secured by a dental ligament, they should not move at all once they have healed into the jawbone. Any movement of a dental implant is an indication that the implant is failing in some way, whether this is due to a mechanical problem with the implant or due to an issue with the patient’s bone or other periodontal tissues. Prodding or teasing an implant with your tongue or fingers, even to attempt to put it back in place, could lead to additional bone loss and gradually cause the implant to move even more. Moving a loose dental implant increases its instability and often leads to damage of the surrounding teeth, the jawbone, and the soft tissues in the oral cavity.
If you have a dental implant that shifts or wiggles, you may find that the gum tissue around the implant is bleeding, and there may be pain or discomfort in the area of the implant. There may also be signs of infection, including noticeable inflammation and pus, around the implant. Until you are able to see your dentist, you may find relief from pain or discomfort by applying a cold compress, like ice wrapped in a towel, to the skin on the outside of the face adjacent to where the affected implant is. Even if your moving implant isn’t causing pain or discomfort, however, you should definitely schedule an appointment with your dentist the soonest time possible. Your dentist can remove the crown from the implant abutment and thoroughly examine the implant, and they can also take x-rays to determine the specific source of the problem.
Depending on when mobility occurs, it may be a sign that the bone is healing improperly; this may be the case if you notice that your implant crown is moving shortly after the implant was inserted. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if there is an infection present in the area of the implant, or they may tighten the crown itself if that is the source of movement. Your dentist will determine whether any parts of the implant are broken or damaged and will replace damaged or broken parts when possible. If necessary, your dentist will remove the affected implant, treat the implant site for any infection, and allow the site to heal, finally inserting a new implant once the site has healed.
Of course, one of the reasons that implants are such a popular dental replacement option is that about 98% of implant procedures are successful, providing their wearers with many years of stability and satisfaction, so mobile implants are a rare occurrence that necessitate prompt dental attention. In many cases, a loose implant can be fixed. If your implant crown has loosened or fallen out, be sure to keep the crown so that your dentist can reattach it. If a loose crown remains attached, be careful not to chew on the area of the loose implant, which can cause more damage to the bone and periodontium. Sometimes, implant mobility can arise if the abutment screw that attaches the dental crown to the implant loosens. If this is the case, your dentist can fix the problem relatively easily and quickly.
Sometimes, a metal part of the implant may break. While the metal that is used to make implants is very strong and durable, there are times when it may break if exposed to excessive or repetitive force. If the metal component is part of the crown or the abutment, this can usually be fixed easily, though it may be a bit expensive. If the implant itself has fractured, however, it will not be able to be fixed; a dentist will remove the broken implant and replace it with a new implant. If infection has affected the health of the bone surrounding the tooth, the dentist may need to perform a bone graft surgery, which will need time to heal, before reinserting the implant and replacing the tooth.
Whenever possible, dentists recommend that you plan to see a dentist within 48 hours of discovering a loose or mobile implant. While you wait to see a dentist, be sure to eat only soft foods to protect the tooth from further damage, and be extra careful when you bite or chew. Don’t try to fix your implant yourself; the less you manipulate it, the better. Although the area may be uncomfortable, it is also important to maintain good dental care while you wait to see your dentist, to prevent additional damage to the periodontium. Brush the soft tissues and the teeth with a soft-bristled crush, taking care to not disturb the mobile implant, and floss the other teeth daily to keep the gumline free of debris and plaque.
In most cases, if you notice mobility in your implant, the implant itself is likely fine, and the crown or implant screw is actually what has begun to loosen. It is relatively common for implant screws to need tightening periodically, as they are consistently exposed to years of force from biting and chewing, though if they fall out frequently, a new crown may be necessary. Many dentists recommend that their implant patients wear mouth guards while sleeping, to help reduce the pressure placed on implants and their components. Either way, if you find yourself with a loose implant, a prompt dental visit can help ensure the long-term success of dental implants, and routine maintenance visits can help prevent the failure of dental implants over time.