Oscar Allen
Though dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, there are some instances where they fail. If your dental implant fails or starts causing issues, it is advisable to have it reinstalled by a periodontist.
Learn about the signs of a failing dental implant so that you can have it fixed or reinstalled before it starts causing issues.
Here are three signs your dental implant needs reinstalling.
1. Wobbling
A dental implant should be fixed securely to the jawbone. Hence, it should be as sturdy as a natural tooth when chewing or talking. But, if you notice your dental implant wobbling, there is an issue.
When a periodontist installs a dental implant, you usually have to wait several months for the implant and the jawbone to bond. Thus, one of the main reasons a dental implant may wobble in place is due to poor bonding with the jawbone.
However, if your jawbone and dental implant don't bond properly, the dental implant can become wobbly after some time. Alternatively, your dental implant may become wobbly if the quality and quantity of your jawbone are not enough to hold the implant firmly.
Irrespective of the case, it is advisable to have the dental implant reinstalled before the wobbling damages your jawbone.
2. Shifting or Tilting
When a periodontist installs a dental implant, they ensure it aligns with the rest of the teeth. But sometimes, a dental implant may shift its position or tilt. Hence, if you notice your dental implant falling out of line or protruding inwards or outwards, there is an issue.
Again, the reason a dental implant may tilt or shift lies in the jawbone. If your jawbone is not strong enough to hold the implant firmly, it will start to shift due to the force created while chewing. Thus, if you ignore a shifting or tilting dental implant, it might cause a dental misalignment in the future.
Thus, when your dental implant starts to shift or tilt, have a periodontist check it out. In most cases, your periodontist will recommend a jawbone grafting procedure to make your jawbone sturdy. Afterward, the periodontists will reinstall the dental implant.
3. Prolonged Swelling and Pain
After getting a dental implant, it is common for patients to experience a bit of swelling and pain. However, the swelling and pain usually go away after a couple of days. Thus, if you experience prolonged swelling and pain after getting a dental implant, there is an issue.
A common reason you might encounter prolonged swelling and pain is an infection. Dental implants are impervious to infections. However, if you neglect the infection for too long, it could spread to the adjacent teeth.
Hence, if you get a severe infection after a dental implant installation, a periodontist may have to remove the dental implant. Once the infection goes away, a periodontist can reinstall the dental implant.
I grew up in a home with parents who did not insist on good dental hygiene. By the time I was old enough to know better, some damage had already been done. I had many cavities, crooked teeth, and some discoloration on my teeth. I knew it would not be easy to take my smile from where it was to where it is today, but I was determined to finally have nice teeth. I visited a dentist who was very nice and never judged me. We made a dental plan together. Spreading the procedures out over time made it much easier to afford them. I now have almost perfect teeth after all that hard work! I created this blog to help others who have dental problems that stem from bad childhood habits know there is hope! It is never too late to start seeing the dentist!