Dental Implant Fell Out
There are a number of reasons why dental implants are the preferred treatment option for patients with missing teeth. In addition to looking, feeling, and functioning just like your normal teeth, dental implants also eliminate many of the issues commonly attributed to traditional dentures, one of the most frustrating of which is the denture constantly slipping out of place.
Although dental implants do provide a much more durable solution than traditional dentures and have a very high success rate, there are a number of factors that may cause a dental implant to fall out. If you have noticed any of the following, schedule an appointment you’re your periodontist as soon as possible, as these may be precursors to an implant falling out:
- Implant feels loose or wriggles upon touch or while chewing
- Pain or discomfort around the implant
- Discoloration around implant site
- Visible loss of bone
- Frequent bleeding
To learn more about what may cause a dental implant to fall out and what steps you should take if this happens, please refer to the following.
Reasons for Early Dental Implant Failure
Although most patients will not experience any issues with their dental implants, other than the expected wear and tear over time, there are several reasons why an implant may not last as long or fail, which include:
- Lifestyle habits, such as tobacco use or excessive intake of alcohol.
- Improper or insufficient self-care
- Underlying health issues, such as diabetes, cancer, gum disease, or autoimmune issues.
- Certain medications can increase a patient’s risk of having an implant fail earlier than it otherwise would
- Trauma or excessive damage caused by grinding of one’s teeth or using one’s teeth to open packages, gnaw on pencils, etc.
Though procedural risks are very low, as with any surgical procedure, having dental implants placed does carry some procedural risks, such as:
- Infection: An infection may develop following your dental implant procedure, especially if proper aftercare instructions are not followed. To help reduce your risk of infection, your periodontist may prescribe antibiotics.
- Implant rejection: Though very rare, it is possible for the body to reject the material of the implant.
- Loose implant: Though very uncommon, it is possible for the implant to not properly fuse with the bone, which will necessitate the removal of the original implant and placement of a new one.
- Gum recession: If the gingiva around the dental implants begins to recede, pain and inflammation can develop.
- Tissue/nerve damage: Because the implant is placed in close proximity to nerves, improper placement can cause side effects such as long-term pain, tingling, and/or numbness.
- Sinus issues: If the dental implants are placed such that they protrude into the sinus cavities, issues like fever, pain, tenderness, and swelling around the cheeks, eyes, and forehead may develop.
- Peri-implantitis: Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants are also at risk of developing periodontal disease, especially among patients who do not practice daily self-care or do not schedule regular examinations and cleanings every six months.
What to Do If Your Dental Implant Falls Out
If your dental implant falls out, it is important to contact your periodontist as soon as possible. Doing so is your best bet to saving your dental implant. Even if the dental implant cannot be saved, it is important that your periodontist perform a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause (if unknown) for the implant falling out and to ensure that you are not in any pain. This appointment will also allow your periodontist to discuss what steps you can take to avoid developing an infection or other issues that can develop following the loss of a dental implant.
If your implant has fallen out and you are not able to see your periodontist right away, be sure to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. It is also important to be gentle when brushing your teeth and to avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol. Once you are able to be seen by your periodontist, they will want to know the circumstances leading up to the loss of your implant and whether you had noticed any issues prior to the implant falling out.
Once they have completed this part of the evaluation, they will evaluate your implant and mouth to determine if the implant can be restored and identify the underlying cause of the implant falling out. If only the crown has fallen out, the solution may be as simply as screwing it back on. If the implant fell out due to the abutment being damaged, it will likely be necessary to replace the abutment. If the titanium post of your implant is damaged, however, this may indicate a more serious underlying issue and will likely mean that your entire implant will need to be surgically removed.
Importance of Selfcare
Although dental implants will wear down and need to be replaced over time due to natural wear and tear, there are a number of things you can do to extend the longevity of your dental implants, which include the following:
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid or limit foods that are high in sugars or carbs.
- Avoid or limit sugary drinks. If you do have a drink that is sugary, using a straw will significantly limit the exposure of the sugary liquid to the rest of your mouth. It is also recommended to rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking sugary drinks.
- Limit or avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
- Do not engage in risky behavior like opening packages with your teeth. Engaging in this type of behavior seriously increases your risk of chipping or damaging your dental implant and natural teeth.
- If you frequently engage in high impact activities such as sports, or if you have bruxism or TMJ, schedule an appointment for a custom mouth and/or night guard. Wearing these guards during these activities or while you sleep can prevent additional wear and tear of your dental implants and natural teeth.
- Schedule periodontal exams at least every six months. If the underlying reason why you needed a dental implant placed was due to periodontal disease, you may want to schedule these evaluations every three or four months.
- During these appointments, your periodontist will perform a professional cleaning that involves specialized equipment to remove plaque that cannot be removed with normal brushing methods. These appointments will also allow them to closely monitor the health of your dental implant and identify and treat any underlying issues early.
Schedule a Consultation
If your dental implant falls out, it is very important that you contact your periodontist as soon as possible. Doing so will significantly increase the likelihood that your dental implant can be restored and will reduce your risk of developing complications or experience any unnecessary pain. This appointment will also provide your periodontist with an opportunity to evaluate your oral health, determine the underlying cause of your dental implant falling out (if applicable), and provide any additional treatment to correct underlying issues.