Technology surrounding dental implants has advanced significantly over the years. While dental implants have an incredibly high success rate and often last for years and decades, there can come a time when an implant fails or develops problems over time. Some of these problems are related to bone loss in the area the implant was placed, causing the post to become loose. Other issues may involve an implant that has cracked or broken entirely, resulting in pain, infection and gum inflammation. We offer implant restorations to patients experiencing these types of problems.
Here are some signs to look for that could signal an issue with your dental implants:
They're Loose
If you notice that your implant is loose or feels slightly unstable, it may be time to have it replaced or repaired. Implants should be incredibly secure in the bone, similar to a healthy tooth that wouldn’t be loose if you played with it. A loose implant could signal a problem with underlying bone or the fact that the implant never bonded with the bone in the first place.
There’s Gum Inflammation and Recession
If the gums around the implant are inflamed or have receded, the implant may need to be replaced. There may be an underlying infection or the implant might not have been inserted correctly. Inflammation is normal for newly placed implants, but shouldn’t be occurring regularly over the course of the first year or two as well as years after it’s been placed.
There’s an Infection
Properly placed implants that are functioning properly shouldn’t become infected. If your implant is infected and you’re experiencing a lot of pain, it may be time to have them replaced or repaired. A simple x-ray will help in determining if there is an underlying infection. Antibiotics may be needed to clear the infection before any work can be done.
There’s Pain
Once your implants have fully healed, they shouldn’t be painful and should become just another part of your smile. Implants can take several months to a year to fully heal, so it may be normal to have slight pain or discomfort around this area. However, if you’re experiencing severe pain or have discomfort years after the implant was placed, there could be an underlying problem.
It’s Difficult to Chew
Your implants are meant to become a part of your smile and should act similar to any other healthy tooth. If it’s become difficult to chew on the side where the implant is placed because of pain, discomfort or because the implant feels slightly loose, you need to have it checked.
If you think you may need to have a dental implant repaired or replaced, call our office today and we will get you in for a consultation appointment.