A dental implant is a great way to replace a missing tooth to last for years to come. This type of procedure involves attaching the false tooth directly to your jawbone to provide structure and to ensure that the tooth will not fall out.
A dental implant can become loose if the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate or if the implant itself is not placed correctly. Additionally, poor oral hygiene habits can also lead to a dental implant becoming loose.
How Do You Know If A Dental Implant is Loose?
There are a few different ways that you will be able to tell if your dental implant comes loose.
The first and most obvious way to tell if your implant is loose is by the way it feels. A loose dental implant will not feel as secure as your natural teeth. You may notice that it moves around slightly when you touch it or when you eat.
Another way to tell if an implant is loose is by the way it looks compared to surrounding teeth. A loose implant may not look as flush with the gum line as a tight one. There may also be visible gaps between the implant and the gum line.
The last way to tell if an implant is loose is by the way it sounds. A loose implant might make a clicking noise when you bite down or chew.
If you’re experiencing any pain in your mouth, this could be another sign that one of your dental implants in the area of pain is loose.
What Causes a Dental Implant to Become Loosened?
A dental implant can become loose for a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the implant was not placed properly in the first place. If the implant is not stable in the jawbone, it can easily become loose over time.
Another reason why an implant may become loose is due to infection or inflammation around the implant site. This can cause the bone around the implant to break down, resulting in a loose implant.
In some cases, trauma to the jawbone can also lead to a loosened dental implant. If you have had any kind of accident or injury that has caused damage to your jawbone, it is possible that this could have caused your implant to become loose.
If you think that your dental implant may be loose, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to assess the situation and determine the best course of treatment. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed and replaced.
Can Dental Implants Be Tightened?
If you discover that your dental implant is loose, you are probably wondering what the dentist can do to fix it. If your implant is loose the dentist can attempt to tighten the screw that is holding the implant in place. However, if this does not work, then the only other option is to remove and replace the implant.
If your dental implant is loose because of an infection, then it will need to be removed and replaced with a new one. This is because infections can cause damage to the bone and surrounding tissue, making it impossible to simply tighten the implant.
In some cases, a loose dental implant can be caused by incorrect placement. In this case, the only option is to remove and replace the implant. This is because it is not possible to move the implant to the correct position without removing it first.
Contact Lane and Associates to Have a Dental Implant Fixed
If you live in North Carolina and you are having issues with a loose dental implant, come visit Lane and Associates to learn more about how you can get your implant tightened or replaced.
