Dental implants are well-known for their durability. They remain functional for many years. But as soon as you feel that the crown on top of your implant is wiggling, you may become anxious. Is it going to fall out? Is my implant failing? After investing time and money in a dental implant, it’s natural to have these concerns when the implant crown feels loose. Keep reading to find out what you need to do.
Why Is My Implant Crown Loose?
You might want to understand why this problem is occurring in the first place. There can be different reasons:
- The connection between the crown, abutment, and implant may have loosened.
- Cement failure
- Your crown sits high or does not align with your bite
- Dental injury
- Teeth grinding habit (bruxism)
- A problem with the fit or connection of the restoration
Apart from these, the condition of the implant post (the part that replaces the tooth root) also matters. If the implant itself is loose or failing, that’s an even bigger concern and needs immediate assessment.
What to Do If Your Implant Crown Is Loose
A loose implant crown is something you shouldn’t ignore. Take these steps:
1) Call your dentist
Request a same-day visit if possible. Don’t wait till your next dentist visit. The earlier you get the issue examined, the better.
2) Eat soft foods only
Choose softer foods temporarily and avoid hard or sticky foods that could put additional pressure on the restoration. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, or oatmeal are safe options.
Chew on your unaffected side so that there’s no direct pressure on your implant.
3) Don’t try DIY measures
Using dental glue or trying to fix the crown with pliers may do more harm than good.
4) Keep the crown
Place your crown in a clean container if the crown comes off completely. Bring it along to your appointment. Your dentist may recement it (if possible).
5) Rinse your mouth
With a loose implant crown, the gums around the area may become sore. Rinse with lukewarm saltwater to ease irritated gums and flush any remaining food debris.
Can a Loose Implant Crown Be Fixed?
Yes, multiple treatment options are available. Your dentist will decide the one that best suits your needs.
Retightening or recementing the crown
If the crown is in good shape, your dentist can place it back on the implant. They may retighten or recement, depending on whether your crown is screw-retained or cement-retained.
Replacing the crown
A crown with deep cracks or one that has badly worn out will need to be replaced. Your dentist will discuss material options (all-ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia).
Dental implant rehabilitation
When the dental implant supporting the crown fails, treatment is focused on stabilizing the implant. If the strategies to save the implant don’t work, your implant might be removed and replaced.
Summing Up
Loose dental implant crowns don’t tighten back up on their own. DIY remedies are not useful in this case either. The best thing you can do is to reach out to your dentist quickly.
If your implant crown is wiggling, visit our dental expert at Houston Biological Dentistry or call (713) 785-7767 to schedule an urgent visit.