If you’ve ever lost a tooth and had it replaced with a implante dental, you know just how beneficial these devices can be. Unlike dentures, implants allow you to eat what you like and speak without worrying about loosening devices, all while preserving your jawbone’s mass.
Given their convenience and ease of use, noticing that your implant has fallen out can send you into a panic, but turning to a dental implant surgeon is the best course of action.
At the same time, it’s also important to understand how you can preserve dental implants and protect the gap in your mouth while you find help. Below, you’ll learn more about the reasons a dental implant could fall out and what steps you should take if you have implant problems.
Dental Implant Surgeon Explains Why Implants Fall Out
A dental implant comprises a titanium post that is inserted into your jawbone. To place the crown, the part that looks like a natural tooth, an abutment (a support structure) gets attached to the post via a screw. Most of the time, what will fall out is the crown or the abutment screw; it’s rare for the post itself to become dislodged.
In any case, one of the most common reasons that an implant falls out is a lack of bone density. In the majority of instances, your dental implant surgeon will perform a injerto óseo to ensure that there’s enough surface area upon which to place the implant.
However, there are some times in which the procedure doesn’t offer the right amount of bone density, which means there was a loose implant and you can run the risk of its abutment screw falling out.
Such an issue can also occur because of poor oral hygiene, which leads to infections. Not brushing or flossing correctly around your implant allows bacteria to grow, leading to all types of gum diseases. These can damage the tissues that hold the implant in place, weakening its stability and allowing the crown or screw to easily fall off the post.
Excessive force can cause implants to fall out, too. If you grind your teeth or chew in a way that puts uneven pressure on the device, you could dislodge it. And lastly, normal wear and tear over a period of years may cause an implant to fall out as well.
Steps to Take if Your Dental Implant Falls Out
In the event that an implant falls out, it’s a dental emergency. Taking the following vital steps is essential to preserving the implant and getting it back in place correctly.
Gather the Dental Implants Part that Fell Out
First of all, gather all of the parts that have fallen out. Even if you see that the crown has cracked or will otherwise need to be replaced, you shouldn’t throw it away. Place everything in a clean container, and do not try to reinsert any parts on your own.
Doing so can cause further damage. Similarly, don’t try to use any adhesives to put any pieces back together; denture glue is not enough, and allowing an industrial glue in your mouth, aside from being ineffective, could spell disaster.
Rinse Your Mouth
Once you have secured the implant in a container, get about eight ounces of warm (not hot) water and add a teaspoon of table salt, then swish the mixture around your mouth to get rid of bacteria and prevent further complications to your gums or teeth.
Never touch the affected area, as that can reintroduce bacteria and might even dislodge other parts of the implant. Remember to chew on the other side of your mouth as well.
Contact Your Dentist
Above all, do not wait to get medical attention. Delaying treatment can mean facing bone loss or even experiencing full implant failure that would require going through the entire process again. As soon as you realize that the device has fallen out, make an emergency appointment with your dental implant surgeon. They’ll be just as concerned about placing the implant back quickly, so it’s likely you’ll get an appointment within 24 to 48 hours.
While you wait, you can stave off some of the anxiety by writing down everything you remember leading up to the issue. Perhaps you noticed that the implant was starting to feel loose, and maybe you ate something very sticky or hard just before it fell out.
Your dental implant surgeon will undoubtedly appreciate the additional information.
Contact a Leading Dental Implant Surgeon for Fast Help
If you are going about your life and dental implants fall out, you need to take action, but don’t panic. By carefully preserving the damaged part and scheduling an appointment with your dental surgeon, you can avoid complications that could mean costly replacements.
Dr. Brett Langston is a leading dental implant surgeon who offers the reliable care you need both in standard check-ups and in emergencies. Contact your dentist today to schedule a visit.
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