I have always been one of those people who loves to get out into the world and talk with other people, but a few years ago, I realized that I had to do something about my smile. My teeth were yellow and unattractive, and it was really discouraging to see how much different my smile was. I knew that I needed to get my teeth fixed, so I started working with a professional dentist to make things right. Within a few short months, my smile was completely transformed, and I knew that I owed it all to my dental professional. Check out this blog for more information about working with a dentist.
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Working With A Great Dentist
What To Do With A Loose Implant
Harper Hughes
Dental implants provide the next best thing to your natural teeth for many reasons. First, they are inserted into the jaw bone, making them just as, if not more, secure as a natural tooth. They can be used for single or multiple teeth. They look just like your real teeth and need the same basic care. The only issue is if an implant becomes loose. The following guide can help you understand which parts of an implant are at risk and what you should do if it does come loose.
Implant Basics
An implant consists of three main parts, as follows:
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The fixture. This is the main implant that is screwed into your jawbone. Once placed, the fixture should not come loose unless there is severe trauma to the location. This is because the bone and gums heal around it to hold it in a fixed location.
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The abutment. The abutment is attached to the top of the fixture, generally after the implant has been healed into place. It screws into the fixture and is meant to hold the crown in place. An abutment can come loose, although this is rare. This can happen because of outside trauma, such as a blow to the face, or from inside trauma, such as biting down on a hard object.
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The crown. This is the part that is made to look like a natural tooth. It is placed over the abutment and cemented into place. In most cases, this the part of the implant that comes loose. Trauma is the most likely cause for a loosened crown, whether from an outside blow or biting down on a hard object. Tooth grinding can also loosen or crack a crown over time.
What to Do With a Loose Implant
A loose implant will need to be repaired by a dentist, but there are some things you need to do. If the implant loosened due to trauma, such as a hit to the face, and if there is pain or bleeding involved, an emergency room visit is your best course of action. You may need stitches or the actual fixture may have been knocked out, which can damage your jawbone.
Otherwise, you can examine the implant with a mirror to try and determine which part is loose. If the tooth looks askew, the actual abutment may have turned. Generally, this is held in place because the teeth fit tightly enough together to prevent it from turning. Try grasping the crown with a dry cloth and slightly turning it to see if this tightens the abutment.
If the crown is loose or comes off completely, simply store it in a cup of water until your dentist can cement it back in place. The water prevents the crown from drying out and cracking. With any type of implant issue, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and skip sticky or hard foods completely until a dentist, like those at Gordon Dental and other locations, has made a repair.
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