Dental implants are an impressive piece of dental technology that can give a patient a full and bright smile again after suffering through tooth damage and decay. Though dental implants are very popular, many prospective patients still wonder how to fix a loose dental implant should some damage impact their own. Fortunately, there are many different ways to fix a damaged dental implant. We explore those methods and more below.

What Is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are a dental fixture that is used to replace broken or damaged teeth. Dental implants appear like natural teeth but are composed of artificial materials. The three primary components of a dental implant include:

Threaded post: This is a part of the dental implant that is placed in the jawbone during an oral surgery procedure.
Abutment: The abutment screws into the threaded post and extends into the gums.
Restoration: Dental restoration is a prosthetic that repairs or replaces teeth. This is the section that looks similar to one’s natural teeth.

What Can a Dental Implant Fix?

There are many different dental issues that a dental implant can fix. Some of the common issues that are often addressed with a dental implant include:

Gum disease
Cracked teeth
Cavities
Teeth that are missing due to never developing
Teeth that are damaged through grinding (bruxism)

Dental implants are used to replace a single tooth that faces some level of damage from any of the above conditions. Other types of dental fixtures, such as dental bridges or dentures, can be used in scenarios where a patient needs multiple teeth replaced.

What Occurs During Dental Implant Surgery?

During dental implant surgery, a dentist will enact the following steps to successfully place the implant:

Anesthesia is applied to the gums. This may be general or local anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure.
An incision is made in the gums to prepare them for receiving the implant.
A hole is created in the jawbone using a series of specialized instruments. This hole is widened to the extent that it can receive the implant.
The dental implant is inserted into the jaw.
The incisions are closed, and the gums are repositioned to their original positions in the mouth.

Following the completion of your procedure, you will be in a period known as osseointegration. Osseointegration describes the period where your implant will integrate with the rest of the mouth. Successful osseointegration is integral to a successful implant procedure. There is some variability in terms of how long this process can take.

Why Do Dental Implants Become Loose?

There are several ways that dental implants can become loose. Oftentimes, it is not the implant itself that is loose but the other elements of the mouth that have changed over time due to tooth decay. Some of the following symptoms can indicate that your own implant may be loosening or about to come loose:

Your implant does not seem securely attached to the mouth
Your gums become inflamed
You experience some level of gum recession
There is noticeable swelling in your mouth
High levels of pain or discomfort

Any of these symptoms may indicate that an implant is becoming loose, which can involve all of the sections of the implant. Your dentist should be able to determine the source of your implant’s instability during a check-up.

How to Fix a Loose Dental Implant

The course of fixing a loose dental implant will depend on the exact section of the dental implant that is in need of tightening. Some of the common sources of a loose implant include:

Insufficient osseointegration in the mouth
Infection during your procedure
Gum disease
Faulty design of the implant
Non-ideal placement

The most common cause of a loose dental implant is a loose abutment. In this case, the abutment is removed along with the crown of the implant. Depending on the shape of the implant, you may be given a temporary replacement while your dentist addresses the faults in your original. Your dentist will then discuss longer-term replacement scenarios that will work for your particular situation.

The Top Dentist of Chino Hills

Dental Care of Chino Hills is dedicated to giving patients the highest level of dental care available. If you would like to discuss your dental health with a professional, contact us today to schedule an appointment.