Dental Implant Moving
The prospect of a dental implant moving around is one that can strike real fear in the heart of anyone who has gone through the process of having dental implants installed. Part and parcel of the fact that dental implants are so strong and dependable is that they mimic the entire structure of an organic tooth, from root to crown. As such, the process of creating and placing dental implants is a considerable investment, requiring surgical intervention to undertake the first key steps. Overall, dental implants enjoy more than a 95% success rate and are built to last decades. Failure of a dental implant is exceedingly rare; usually any problems occur at the superficial level and are easily remedied.
If you have lost part of a dental implant, please call your dentist right away, but also rest assured that what you are likely dealing with is a loose implant crown rather than a failing implant. Read on for more information about why this is so and what to do if you have part of a dental implant come loose or (much more rarely) fall out.
Parts of a Dental Implant
Dental implants are typically composed of three parts made of either titanium or zirconia, both incredibly strong and highly biocompatible materials. The smallest but most structurally key part of a dental implant is called an implant fixture. This is a small post that is embedded into the jaw beneath the gums, acting as one’s natural dental roots would. The implant fixture effectively anchors itself to the jaw in a process called osseointegration – this is a process by which the implant fixture actually becomes integrated with the hard tissues of the bone.
The second component of a dental implant is called an abutment. This is a small connecting piece that attaches to the implant fixture on one end and the prosthetic crown on the other. While the abutment is not visible, it plays an important part not only in structure but also in conferring strength to the implant crown. Transferring the considerable force of biting and chewing to the implant fixture, where it can be absorbed by the jaw, the abutment takes a lot of pressure off of the implant crown itself, which is why last so much longer than conventional bridges or dentures.
The third and final component of the dental implant is the implant crown (or implant-retained bridge or denture). While this component gets all the glory, as it is the only part of a dental implant that is above the surface of the gums, it is only as strong and durable as it is because of the underlying structural support.
Placing a Dental Implant
The creation and placement of a dental implant is a somewhat lengthy process. It begins with the surgical insertion of the implant fixture below the surface of the gums where it is then left to heal for two to six months. During this time, the gums are either stitched up over the implant fixture (it remains hidden under the gumline) or a healing abutment can be attached. In some cases, it may even be possible to have a same-day temporary implant crown placed, though this is at the discretion of your dentist and oral surgeon.
Only after the implant fixture is fully integrated with the jawbone does progress continue. While this takes time and can be frustrating for some, it is important to observe this timeline so that the implant fixture is fully seated before attaching pieces above the gumline that could compromise its integrity. Once it is firmly in place, your dentist will attach the abutment and then finally the implant crown. At this point, the placement process is complete.
How Could a Dental Implant Become Loose or Fall Out?
Dental implants enjoy greater than a 95% success rate – true failure of a dental implant is quite rare and usually attributed to underlying health conditions, faulty placement, or inadequate bone mass. Successful placements in healthy individuals rarely experience failure.
If a part of your dental implant becomes loose, it is likely the abutment or implant crown itself rather than the implant fixture – this should be firmly embedded in your jaw.
Some possible causes of a loose dental implant component include the following:
- The connection between the abutment and the implant fixture could have become unthreaded, resulting in either a loose or dislodged abutment and crown
- Part of the crown could have broken due to extreme force applied to it (biting down on something extremely hard, for example)
- The abutment could have cracked due to similar extreme force
- Bacterial infection could cause an abscess that reduced local stability and support
- Advanced gum disease could also reduce local stability and support as the tissues begin to erode
Warning Signs of a Loose Implant Piece
The most obvious sign of a loose or dislodged dental implant piece is that it falls out of your mouth. But you might also begin to develop sore, inflamed gums; experience localized swelling; find that you have trouble chewing or biting; or feel any part of the implant moving. If any of this happens, call your dentist for an examination.
What to Do if You Have a Loose, Broken, or Dislodged Dental Implant
If you have a loose, broken, or dislodged dental implant, don’t panic. Keep and part that may have actually fallen out so that your dentist can examine it. While it may be tempting, it’s important not to manipulate it in any way so as to avoid causing further problems; don’t wiggle it around or try to remove any loose pieces.
If you are experiencing any pain, it is okay to take over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil as necessary; ice can also be applied to help reduce swelling. In the meantime, call your dentist to be soon as quickly as possible. Most likely, it is an issue with the top two components and not the implant fixture itself. Luckily, these pieces are easily remade (if necessary) and reattached. The longer you wait, though, the more complications can arise, so if you think you have a problem, go ahead and make the call!