What to Do If a Dental Implant Falls Out
Dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement treatments available. One of the biggest reasons for this popularity, is because implants offer a permanent replacement option. Dental implants are designed to remain permanently secure in the mouth. Although it is rare, an implant can become loose or fall out. Below is more information on how to care for dental implants and what to do if one becomes loose.
How to Care for Your Implants
A dental implant consists of several components, including a metal post that is surgically placed in the jawbone and an artificial crown that is attached on top. If you have a healthy jawbone, the success of the implant surgery is more likely. However, as people age, their bone mass decreases, and the bones may not be strong enough to support implants. The lack of healthy bone may jeopardize the success rate of implants for some patients. Dental providers may suggest their aging patients with weaker bones take vitamin supplements or try other therapies. Treating weak bones can help to improve a patient’s chances of dental implant success.
Besides paying attention to bone health, there are other things you can do to help care for your dental implants, including:
- Avoiding foods that may damage implants. Hard and sticky foods can cause damage to your implants. Hard foods can put pressure on the implants and sticky foods can become attached to implants and difficult to brush off. Popcorn, nuts, and hard candy are all examples of foods that can get stuck in your teeth and irritate or cause damage to your dental implants.
- Daily oral hygiene: An important part of caring for your implants includes daily brushing and flossing. Additionally, it is important to maintain regular dental office visits 1-2 times per year. Keeping your mouth and teeth healthy will improve the chances of your implants long-term success. Developing periodontal disease can cause your gums to weaken, threating the success of your implant. Weak unhealthy gums cannot support natural teeth or dental implants. Professional tooth cleaning is also highly recommended for the health of your implant and your mouth.
What Are Signs That Your Implant Is Not Healthy
There are some common signs you will notice if a dental implant is not healthy. For example, prior to becoming loose, there are several additional symptoms of an unhealthy implant. If you notice any of these signs early enough, you may be able to take steps to preventing your dental implant from falling out. The following are all symptoms you should be aware of:
- Pain
- Bone loss
- Bleeding around the implant
- Noticeable discoloration of the gums around the implant site
If you notice any of these symptoms and you notice they persist, you should contact your dentist immediately. Your provider may be able to help keep your dental implant right where it's supposed to be.
Why Dental Implants Fail
Some of the biggest reasons why a dental implant may fail and fall out include:
- Poor supporting bone
- Weak immune system
- Too much stress on implant during healing period
- Biological rejection
The best ways to avoid implant failure include careful planning prior to surgery and closely following post-surgery directions after the procedure.
What Happens If You Don’t Fix a Loose Dental Implant?
If a dental implant is loose and isn’t fixed, it can fall out of place and will need a costly replacement. Besides falling out, there are other risks associated with having a loose implant. The most alarming risk is that a patient will develop a potentially fatal medical condition. When dental implants are loose, it can create an opportunity for over 500 different types of bacteria to enter the neck, brain, and heart, and also pose a significant threat of sepsis. This risk is why it is recommended that you get a loose dental implant repaired right away.
What to Do If A Dental Implant Falls Out
Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate that is over 95%. However, there are cases when an implant fails to be secure and will fall out. If your dental implant falls out, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately. Often the implant can be re-inserted. In some cases, only the artificial crown on top of the implant comes off, which isn’t as serious of a problem. If the crown comes loose it can be reattached again. However, sometimes the abutment, or the metal part that anchors the crown, is damaged. In these situations, the abutment can also be replaced.
If the implant post is loose, it could be caused by bone loss or by periodontal disease. Periodontal disease that is discovered early can be treated with improved oral hygiene and antibiotics. If periodontal disease is reversed in its early stages, then a patient might still have the chance to have the implant successfully re-inserted.
Once an implant has fallen out, the best way for a dental provider to know how to proceed with fixing the implant is to conduct an oral exam. If your dental implant fell out, the first step you need to take is to call your dentist and schedule an exam. Your dentist will take x-rays to determine the possible reasons why the implant became loose. The dentist will then develop a plan to treat the problem. If the implant cannot be re-inserted, the dentist will provide you with alternative options.
If your dental implant has fallen out, the initial response may be to panic, but you should do your best to not panic. It is normal to have no idea what to do in this situation but keeping calm will help you get an effective treatment. When a dental implant falls out, try not to get carried away and instead follow this series of steps:
- Save the implant components that have fallen out, the dentist will ask for them
- Call your dentist immediately
- Avoid chewing food on the side of your mouth where the implant was
- Rinse your mouth three times a day with mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol