My Dental Implant Feels Loose: What Should I Do?

If you want a no-fuss replacement tooth, you can’t beat a dental implant. Once in place, these teeth should look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth for the remainder of your lifetime. 

That said, just like your natural teeth, longevity hinges on proper care and avoiding issues like a blow to the tooth. Life happens, and in some cases, you might feel your dental implant getting loose.

If you notice looseness, Brian Goodman, DDS, Tanner Goodman, DMD, and our dental team here at Goodman Dental Center have the expertise and experience to find out what’s causing your looseness, correct the issue, and save your implant. If your dental implant needs to be replaced, we can do that, too. We want to give you the full smile you deserve. 

Causes of dental implant looseness

So, why would you be feeling looseness in the first place? 

A wide variety of causes can come into play. If your implant feels loose shortly after getting it, it could be a problem with the osseointegration: your jawbone’s integration of the dental implant’s post. When that doesn’t happen the way it should, you don’t get the firm root your implant needs.

If you’ve had your implant for a while and it’s just now feeling loose, it could be a mechanical issue, like the screw that holds your crown in place loosening. Other issues, like infections either localized to the area or throughout your body, can also cause dental implant looseness.

In some cases, the reason for the implant’s loosening is out of your hands. But you can take steps to prevent this issue from happening, such as:

• Stop smoking 
• Brush and floss daily to prevent gum disease
• Talk to your dentist if you grind your teeth
• Follow your doctor’s treatment instructions if you have diabetes

Doing these things supports healthy gums and teeth, creating an ideal environment for your implant to stay sturdily rooted. 

What to do when an implant feels loose

Talk to our team right away if your implant feels loose. In some cases, we can provide treatment to help reverse the issue, whether that means tightening your abutment screw or addressing gum disease.

In other cases, your implant may need to be replaced. We can remove and replace the implant under local anesthesia. You may need a bone graft to provide your new implant with the foundation it needs. 

After an effective assessment, we tailor a customized treatment plan for you and let you know what to expect every step of the way. 

If your implant feels loose, don’t delay making an appointment with our team. Call or book online today.