My Dental Implant Fell Out, What Should I Do?

Did your dental implant fell out? Is your artificial tooth moving when you touch it?

Although rare, dental implants may sometimes become loose. But what if the dental implant fell out? What should you do?

 

 

Why do implants fall?

Implants may become loose or fall due to a range of causes. Here are the most common ones:

Poor oral hygiene

Poor dental habits are a significant cause of failing implants. Your gums need to be bacteria-free to heal and accommodate the implant. Habits like smoking can also make your implants lose.

Bone density loss

Jaw bone loss can be a cause of dental implants falling out. Your implant may not integrate properly with your jaw bone and start to move. It can even fall out of its place. This is a serious case and needs urgent attention.

Loose crown

The crown or the top portion of your artificial teeth can become loose. Grinding your teeth, biting with pressure, and chewing for years can loosen or dislodge the crown.

Periimplantitis (Gum disease)

Periimplantitis is an inflammatory gum disease that can take a toll on your dental implants. Food particles may get stuck on and around your implant and crown, leading to gum disease. Other gum diseases can also put your implants at risk.

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions increase the risks of dental implant failure:

• Diabetes: Diabetes may prevent successful dental implant treatments. However, recent research shows a well-planned procedure removes the risks of failures.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can prevent the necessary healing for making implants successful. Plus, tooth loss can be a cause too.
• Antidepressants and heartburn medications: Certain medications like SSRIs, PPIs, or GERDs may lead to bone loss and make your implants lose.

 

Signs of a loose dental implant

Look out for the following signs to determine if you have a loose dental implant:

• Pain and swelling: pain in your gums or inflammation around your implants may be a cause of concern.
• Redness or bleeding: Do your gums around your implants bleed when your brush or floss? It can be a symptom of loose implants.
• Visible bone loss: You may be able to identify bone loss by inspecting your mouth. Focus the area around your implant to check whether your jaw bone is intact.
• Moving implant: Your implant moves when you touch it with your fingers or tongue.
• Discoloration: Discoloration of your implant can be an early sign of it becoming loose. You can detect the color change visually.

 

What to do if your implants fell out

While this is a rare scenario, the foremost thing to do is call your dentist and set an appointment. You can have the following options based on your case:

Crown fell out

Your visible artificial tooth or the crown can become loose or fall out. It’s a trivial matter, and your dentists can fix your crown in minutes. However, you may need a replacement if your crown is damaged beyond repair.

There is also no need to worry if your dental implant cap fell out. Your dentist can put another cap very easily in a single appointment.

Implant abutment fell out

Did your dental implant screw fell out? A dental abutment is a screw that fixes the crown with your implant. In most cases, the screw becomes loose over time.

Your dentist can tighten the screw in a few minutes in a single appointment. However, he will also inspect if everything else is alright.

Dental implant fell out

The worst-case scenario is your dental implant falling out. It’s the actual stud that integrates with your bone and holds your crown. The implant can become loose or fall out, requiring immediate attention. Based on your condition, you may need oral surgery to fix your implant back in place.

Shift to a soft diet and prevent biting/chewing with your loose or damaged implants.

 

Risks of not having dental implants fixed

Loose dental implants are not a cause of worry unless the implant fell out. However, you should fix an appointment with your dentist at the earliest to get an inspection. Not treating your lose implant can surely lead to unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Additionally, the crown or implant may get lodged in your throat while sleeping.

Infections may also develop on the implant site and reach other organs of your body. In extreme cases, you might even experience life-threatening consequences. So, call your dentist and schedule an appointment.

 

 

How to take care of dental implants

Here are a few pointers to ensure your implants don’t fall out:

Follow dentists advice

You should follow everything your dentist says to ensure the success of your implants. Go for every checkup and undergo all procedures without failing.

Practice good oral care

Proper brushing, flossing, and hygiene routines ensure your implants don’t get loose. You also need to keep your mouth free of debris and bacteria that lead to gum infections.

Quitting smoking and drinking is also a good choice.

Avoid hard food

Too much crunchy or hard food can loosen your crown or abutment. Plus, it may also put pressure on the implant. You should also try not to clench your bite your teeth frequently.

Visit your dentist

Go for a regular dental checkup at least once a year. You will also be able to spot issues at early stages that require only a quick fixing. Plus, you will leave gum disease-free for your life.

 

Final thoughts

Proper oral care is a must to prevent your implants from getting loose. You should give a call to your dentist’s office if your dental implant fell out for some reason. Save the part that fell out and take it with you when you visit your dentist. Always choose reliable dental care to prevent any untoward incidents and make your dental implant successful. Book an appointment here at New Leaf Rohnert Park now.