Have you ever had a dream where your teeth become loose, or fell out entirely? If you were deep enough into a REM cycle, waking up from it can be disorienting to say the least. You might still be half expecting to suddenly find yourself back in bed, with your wiggly dental implant completely intact.
Unfortunately, this is definitely a real-life scenario. Don’t worry, though – there is something you can do about it. Keep reading to learn more.
Keep Calm and Investigate
Firstly, know that a loose dental implant doesn’t necessarily mean that your replacement has failed, or that you’re not a good candidate for this treatment. Dental implants have an astounding 95% success rate, so it’s more likely that the underlying problem is solvable.
With that in mind, take pain relievers for any immediate discomfort, then soldier on to your bathroom mirror for a closer look. Things to watch out for include bleeding, a loose part, and any damage, but take note of anything that’s abnormal.
Calling Your Dentist for Assistance
Using the information you gathered from your mirror-aided inspection, fill your dentist in on the situation. They’ll give you over-the-phone first aid advice if necessary and will probably want to see you as soon as possible.
Still, you might have to wait a little bit for your appointment time. If that’s the case, avoid using your implant as much as possible. Pressure from chewing or touching it with your tongue could make matters worse. It’s also a good idea to gently clean your prosthetic and the surrounding area to mitigate risk of infection.
Likely Problems and Possible Solutions
Your dentist will be able to tell you more about what’s wrong with your dental implant once they get a good look at it, but if you’re fretting over it, it can be good to know what might be the problem. Here are some possibilities, along with what you can expect from treatment:
- The individual parts that make up your implant could be slack or detached. Fixing this usually involves making minor adjustments to your prosthetic.
- Your implant might have experienced too much pressure from teeth grinding or improper alignment. In this case, you might need orthodontic therapy.
- Infection or gum disease can weaken the oral structures keeping your implant in place (which is why it’s so important to clean your teeth regularly). Your dentist will have to remove the ailment before your implant can settle back into place.
- In the rare instance that your dental implant has failed to integrate with your jawbone, a bone graft may be able to supply your jaw with more bone mass for holding the implant more securely in place.
Regardless of what the issue is, remember that only your dentist can make an accurate diagnosis. If your dental implant is currently loose, give them a call. The sooner they can provide proper treatment, the sooner you can get back to life as usual!
About the Author
Dr. Robert Mitchell is an active member of numerous notable dental organizations, one of which is The Crown Council. The Crown Council is a very select group of outstanding dentists who are all committed to the community, quality treatments, and exceptional care. Between this and his impressive experience with restorative and cosmetic dentistry, you can be sure that Dr. Mitchell will provide reliable, beautiful dental implants for your smile. To contact Dr. Mitchell about your loose dental implant or other concerns, call his office at 972-233-1311.
