A dental implant is designed to remain firm in its place. Therefore, you shouldn’t feel any sort of movement of your dental implant Although, this doesn’t mean that it can’t become loose because there are certain reasons that can cause a failed dental implant.

If you begin to notice any movement of your dental implant, it is important that you follow certain guidelines so you don’t disturb the implant so much.

Let’s take a look at why any movement of your dental implant is possible, and what certain guidelines you should follow.

Why Your Implant Could Move

If your dental implant is moving, it may indicate serious concerns with it. Here are some reasons why movement of your dental implant is possible:

  • Poor bone density or bone loss around the jaw
  • Sensitivity around the loose implant
  • Bleeding from the underlying gum tissue
  • Infections

What Should I Do Now?

There are some immediate steps you can take, particularly if you cannot see a dentist in such a short space of time. Let’s take a look at what you can do right now if you experience movement of your dental implant.

  • Apply A Cold Compress To Your Cheek – Apply a cold compress to the loose implant if you’re feeling intense sensitivity. The underlying tissue may become swollen and cause inflammation. Wrap the cold compress around a towel and keep it against the cheek of the affected area regularly throughout the day.
  • Notify Your Dentist – The first and most important thing is to notify the dentist as soon as possible. Describe the problem you’re experiencing thoroughly. The dentist will likely remove the crown and perform an x-ray to identify the source of the problem.

What Will Treatment Involve?

The dentist will need to identify the source of the problem. This is because there could be many reasons or aspects of the implant that need addressing. Such as a problem with your bone strength causing the infused screw to move, the abutment not being placed appropriately or the crown is damaged.

Typically, treatment will involve:

  • Taking antibiotics in order to treat certain bacterial infections
  • If the crown is loose and is not damaged, the dentist may tighten the crown itself
  • Remove the crown, abutment and screw to determine what is broken
  • Replacing the crown with a new crown
  • Inserting a brand new dental implant replacement

It is critical to quit certain oral habits before dental implant treatment  for better results.

If you’re experiencing movement of your dental implant, or you’re having other complications, get in touch with our dentists in Hornsby now!