What to Do If a Dental Implant Fell Out
Today, there are many tooth replacement treatment options available for adults looking for a solution for their missing teeth. Of the many options, dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement treatments. A big reason for the popularity of dental implants, is because they offer durability, security, and improved comfort that the other options do not. Additionally, dental implants are designed to be permanently installed in the mouth. Though it only happens in rare occasions, dental implants can become loose and fall out. Below are more details on dental implants, including how to care for implants and what to do if and implant becomes loose.
How to Care for Your Implants
Dental implants are commonly made-up of several components, including a metal post, a connector piece called an abutment, and an artificial tooth attached to the top. The first step of the implant procedure is to surgically place the implant post in the jawbone. In order for the implant treatment to be successfully, it is critical you have a healthy jawbone. Unfortunately, as people age, their bone mass decreases, and their jaw bone may not be strong enough to support a dental implant. Not having a healthy jawbone could lower the success rate of dental implants. Prior to developing an implant treatment plan, some dental providers may suggest their aging patients with weaker bones take vitamin supplements or try other therapies to treat their weak bones and improve their chances of implant success.
Beside keeping your bones healthy, other important steps you can take to care for your dental implants include:
- Avoid foods that may damage implants, including hard and sticky foods. Hard foods put pressure on the implants and sticky foods can become attached to implants and stuck in your teeth. Both hard and sticky foods can irritate or cause damage to your dental implants. Examples of food to avoid include, popcorn, nuts, and hard candy.
- Daily oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, is an important part of caring for your implants. Additionally, it is important to maintain regular dental visits. Keeping your teeth healthy is an essential step to ensuring the long-term success of your implants. If you develop gum disease, technically called periodontal disease, it can weaken the gums, threating the success of the implants. Unhealthy gums will not be able to support dental implants. Regular professional tooth cleaning can also go a long way to maintaining the health of the gums and the implant.
Signs That Your Implant Is Not Healthy
If you pay attention, there are some common signs that indicate a dental implant is not healthy. If you notice these signs early enough, you may be able to prevent your dental implant from becoming loose and falling out. Here are a few of the common symptoms you should be aware of:
- Pain
- Bone loss
- Bleeding around the implant
- Discoloration of the gum tissue around the implant site
If you notice any of these symptoms and they won’t go away, you should contact your dentist immediately. Your provider may be able to identify what is wrong and correct the issue before it gets worse. If the implant post becomes loose, it may be caused by bone loss or by periodontal disease. When discovered early, periodontal disease can be treated with improved oral hygiene and antibiotics. If periodontal disease is addressed in its early stages, then a patient might have the chance to save their implant.
Why Dental Implants Fail
Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate that is over 95%. However, even though it is rare, sometimes dental implants fail. Some of the biggest reasons why dental implants can fail include:
- Poor bone health
- Weak immune system
- Too much stress on the implant
- Biological rejection
To avoid implant failure, you should closely follow your provider’s post-surgery instructions and advice on caring for your implant and maintaining your oral health.
What If You Don’t Fix a Loose Dental Implant?
Dental implants that are loose and not fixed can fall out or lead to other more alarming issues. One of the most serious risks associated with a loose implant is the potential to develop a fatal medical condition. Loose dental implants can create the opportunity for over 500 different types of bacteria to enter the neck, brain, and heart. All of these potential risks are costly and pose a risk to your overall health, which is why it is recommended that you get a loose dental implant repaired right away.
What to Do If A Dental Implant Falls Out
If your dental implant falls out, you should contact your dentist immediately and schedule an appointment. Often implants that have fallen out can be re-inserted. In some cases, only the artificial crown comes off, which can more easily be reattached. However, sometimes the abutment, or the metal attachment, is damaged and also needs to be replaced.
If your implant post has fallen out, you should contact your dentist immediately for a visit. The best way for a dental provider to proceed after an implant post has fallen out is to conduct an oral exam. Your provider will take x-rays to determine the possible cause for the implant becoming loose. Once they have determined the likely cause, your dentist will develop a plan to treat the problem. If the implant cannot be immediately re-inserted, your dentist will try to come up with a few alternative options.
If your dental implant has fallen out, you should do your best not to panic. It is completely normal to have no idea what to do in this situation. When a dental implant initially falls out, you should do your best to follow this series of steps:
- Save all of the implant components that have fallen out. The dentist will ask for them and may be able to reinstall them
- Call your dentist immediately
- Avoid chewing food on the implant side of the mouth
- Rinse your mouth three times a day with mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol