Why Does Your Implant Tooth Feel Loose?

If you've had your dental implant for a few years, then you've probably forgotten it's there. It works like all your other teeth and you don't need to treat it any differently.

You'll worry if you suddenly feel that the tooth has become a bit wobbly. It feels like it is moving when you eat, and you think it's a bit loose when you wobble it. Why is your implant suddenly looser than it was? Can your dentist fix the problem?

Common Causes of Loose Implant Teeth

Implant teeth can come loose for various reasons. You may have problems with the crowning tooth or with the post that holds the tooth steady. Sometimes, an implant tooth feels wobbly because the crown that sits on the post has just come a bit loose. In some cases, the crown itself has got damaged and no longer fits on the post as it should.

Like natural teeth, implant teeth can get damaged. Biting on something hard is sometimes enough to dislodge or break a tooth. A sporting accident could also knock the tooth loose or damage it. An implant crown can also feel wobbly if the post that secures it has developed a problem. For example, if bone has shrunk around the post rather than growing around it, then the post itself may not be 100% secure. The tooth itself may still be securely attached to the post. The wobbly feeling you have here when you wiggle the tooth with your fingers is more down to the post moving than the tooth.

Common Ways to Fix Loose Implant Teeth

Make an appointment to see your dentist. They can take a look at the tooth and your implant site and work out why the tooth feels loose. If the tooth has simply come off the post, then your dentist can put it back on again. However, if the tooth is damaged, then your dentist may need to replace it with a new crown. A damaged tooth may not hold up in the long term.

Problems with implant posts can be more difficult to fix. If you're losing bone, then your post isn't secure. This could be caused by an infection. In this case, your dentist will deal with the infection and then explain how to save the implant if this is possible.

In some cases, you may need to have the implant removed to allow the bone to heal. Your dentist can talk to you about this process and fill you in on the chances of you being able to have the implant put back in again later.

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