You’re eating dinner one night, and right as you take that last delicious bite of steak, you feel it. After poking it with your tongue a bit, you’re certain: one of your dental implants is loose. Implants are by far the sturdiest option when it comes to tooth replacement, but it is still possible for them to develop issues just like any other kind of dental work. Why do you have a loose dental implant in Lincoln, and what should you do about it?
Why Is Your Dental Implant Loose?
There is a multitude of reasons why your dental implant may feel less than stable:
- The implant post itself might not actually be what is moving, but rather the artificial tooth that is attached to it.
- You have experienced some kind of impact/accident that has knocked the implant loose.
- Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) has exposed the implant to pressure way beyond normal chewing.
- The bone around the implant may not have properly bonded to it during the healing process.
- The gum and bone tissue around the implant have developed an infection called peri-implantitis. This is similar to gum disease, and it can break down the support for an implant and cause it to move around.
While a loose implant certainly isn’t pleasant, luckily, the solution is relatively simple. All you need to do is…
Call Your Dentist
No matter what is causing your dental implant to move around, you most likely will not be able to fix it yourself (nor should you try!), and ignoring the problem will only allow it to become worse. The best thing to do is simply contact your dentist right away. When you go to see them, they can give you an exam and take X-rays of your jaw to determine what is actually causing the problem. From there, they can tighten/replace the restoration, treat an infection, or even replace the implant post if needed. The sooner you act, the easier the repair process will be!
How to Prevent Loose Dental Implants in Lincoln
Of course, life would be much easier if your dental implants didn’t become loose in the first place. Fortunately, a few simple habits will go a long way in ensuring your implants stay exactly where they need to be:
- Brush and floss your teeth, including your implants, every single day. This will prevent an infection from developing. Be sure to pay particular attention to cleaning around the base of your implants where bacteria tends to gather.
- If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about getting a protective nightguard.
- Like to play sports? Be sure to protect your investment and wear an athletic mouthguard whenever you hit the field, mat, or court.
- Regularly attend checkups with your dentist. That way, they can spot/fix a minor issue with your implants before it becomes more serious.
A loose dental implant is certainly a nuisance, but it’s nothing to panic about. Just give your dentist a call, and before you know it, you’ll have a strong and reliable smile that’s ready just in time for your next steak dinner.
About the Author
Dr. Chris Haag is an implant dentist who has been practicing in Lincoln since 1992. He loves that he gets to serve his friends and neighbors every single day, providing high-quality comprehensive dental care at Pioneer Greens Dentistry. If you’re having any issues with your dental implants, he can be reached through his website for questions.