Can a loose dental implant be fixed?

Dental Image

You may find that your implant starts to feel loose.

The good news is that loose dental implants can be fixed in most cases.

Any movement from your dental implant requires specialist treatment by a qualified dentist like Dr Peter Laird. 

He\’s the principal dentist at Glenferrie Dental in Hawthorn which provides dental implant procedures.

The required treatment for loose implants is as follows:

What is a loose dental implant?

Loose dental implants are dental implants that have become loose in the gums and may need to be removed and replaced. The first signs of a loose implant are generally pain and swelling at the gum tissue. 

If you notice these signs, you should seek treatment from your dentist. Your dentist can treat the loose dental implant in several ways, but it is always a good idea to get it checked out as soon as possible. 

  1. One method is to wait for the swelling to go down and then simply redo the procedure to tighten the implant. 
  2. Another option in terms of oral health is to go back to the original dentist and have the implant removed, then do it again with a different dentist. 

If you have a loose dental implant, you should see your dentist immediately.

Is a Loose Dental Implant Unusual?

If you have opted to replace your tooth with a dental implant or implant post, a broken implant is a common problem that might arise. There are many reasons why your dental implant is loose, and the majority of them have nothing to do with the fact that it has failed. 

If your dental implant is loose all of the time, it might be a symptom of additional problems in your mouth, which you should discuss with your dentist for a treatment plan. 

If you detect a loose dental implant, contact your dentist to make an appointment so they can diagnose the problem with a simple procedure.

What can cause a loose dental implant?

Although dental implants are solid, they can still come loose, and it\’s important to know what can cause a loose dental implant. A loose implant crown can be incredibly painful, but there are several reasons why dental implant failures might happen.

  • For example, one of the leading causes of a loose dental implant is an infection in the jaw bone. Bone infections, also known as peri-implantitis, are most commonly caused by gum disease (periodontal disease) or a poor fitting implant crown. 
  • A loose dental implant might also be caused by an injury or trauma to the implant site, such as a fall or knock to the face. 

The good news is that, although you might need to stay away from the site for a while to let the damage heal, dental restoration for the loose implant can be fixed or replaced with a proper treatment solution.

How to fix a loose dental implant?

 Your dentist can fix loose implants in most cases. 

The first step is determining if the problem is in the dental implant or the surrounding bone. If dental implant loosening, it may be because of several factors. Here are some of the most common causes: 

  • Bone graft implant was placed in an insufficient amount of healthy bone.
  • The implant was placed in an area with inadequate blood supply to the bone.
  • The patient uses tobacco products.
  • Facial trauma or bone loss
  • The infection has developed around the implant.
  • The implant has shifted in the bone or soft tissue.
  • Loose abutment or loose crown, rather than the implant itself.
  • Due to the periodontal ligament, which secures the tooth in place. 
  • The patient hasn’t been taking good dental care of their smile.
  • The patient has been chewing on that side of the mouth.

If your dental implant screw is loose, your implant dentist can fix them. You don\’t need to worry because your oral surgeon can re-tighten the implants with a high success rate.

Why do we need to fix loose dental implants?

A loose dental implant is a dental implant that has been placed in your jawbone but has moved out of its original position. In other words, the implant has become displaced. One reason why implant failure occurs is due to bone resorption. When a loose prostheses is detected early enough, it can be easily fixed. However, if the loose implant crown is left for a long time, it could become a severe problem.

Understanding How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are one of the most effective ways to replace missing teeth with an artificial teeth. But, different types of dental implants are made of other materials (titanium post). All dental implants have a threaded post in the bottom that screws into the bone. The first type of dental implant is anchored to the bone as a permanent fixture. The second type, called a loose dental implant, still anchors into the bone, but the post is not permanently fixed. Loose dental implants are becoming increasingly common because they do not require much time in the dental chair and use fewer resources.

Please call Glenferrie Dental now if you have any more questions regarding dental implants or would like to book an appointment to determine whether you are a good candidate. We are excited to assist you in beginning your journey to better dental health!

Get a Free Dental Implant Quote From our Australian Trained Dentists

Dental implants are a significant undertaking that you would not want to entrust with just anyone. They are, however, worth the investment. 

It is the most commonly chosen option with patients for missing teeth, and you get a more natural look and feel. You are looking to improve and change your life.  

At the end of the day, you make a saving but can encounter many challenges. Put the health and care of your teeth in the hands of those you can trust. 

Get a free quote today from Dr Peter Laird at Glenferrie Dental.

Back to top: Can a loose dental implant be fixed?

Scroll to Top