What Should I Do If My Implant Feels Loose?

When a tooth is lost,

it is necessary to replace it as soon as possible with prosthetic treatment such as dentures, a bridge, or an implant.

Among these, implants are

considered the most effective restorative treatment because they can reproduce both

function similar to natural teeth

and aesthetic aspects.

An implant is broadly made up of

three components.

🦷 An artificial root (fixture) that serves as the tooth root,

🦷 A crown (prosthesis) that serves as the tooth crown,

🦷 And the abutment that connects the two parts

An implant structured this way

can be used for a long time as a semi-permanent treatment,

as long as it is placed properly

and maintained consistently.

However, sometimes implants

can feel loose. 😥

So what causes this kind of looseness,

and what kind of care is needed

to prevent it in advance?

Let’s take a closer look now! 🦷

🔶 Why does it become loose?

The success of an implant depends above all on

how well the jawbone and the artificial root

bond together.

Usually after an implant is placed,

it takes about 3 months, though this varies by person,

for the jawbone to firmly surround the artificial root

and settle into a stable position.

If the bone and the implant properly integrate during this period,

it can be said to have been placed stably.

However, if osseointegration does not occur properly during recovery,

the implant may not be fixed to the bone,

which can cause looseness.

Especially in the early period after placement,

it is very important to strictly follow the precautions

provided by the dental clinic.

Eating hard foods,

poor oral hygiene,

or smoking and drinking alcohol can cause problems,

so for a stable result,

you must be sure to follow the precautions.

Even if the implant initially settles stably

and bonds well with the bone,

looseness can develop over time

if post-treatment care is not properly performed.

In particular, if brushing is insufficient,

or if plaque and food debris around the implant

are not properly removed,

peri-implantitis can occur.

If this inflammation progresses, the jawbone can deteriorate,

which may lead to implant looseness.

Therefore, thorough daily oral hygiene is essential,

and visiting the dental clinic regularly

for checkups and scaling

is a good way to use the implant for a long time.

In addition, the chewing force generated when we eat

is stronger than you might think.

If this force is continuously transmitted to the implant,

there is also the possibility over time

that the screws inside the implant

may gradually loosen.

In such cases, maintenance is needed through regular dental checkups

to retighten the screws.

Also, to prevent the screws from loosening easily,

it is better to avoid overly hard foods on the side with the implant

and to develop the habit of chewing evenly on both sides.

🔶 If you feel looseness?

Please visit the dental clinic right away!

Today, we looked at the causes of implant looseness

and how to prevent it.

Above all, preventing looseness before it happens

is the most important thing,

and

if you already feel looseness,

you should not delay and should visit the dental clinic

to receive a clear diagnosis of the cause

and prompt treatment.

And even if you do not feel any particular discomfort,

you must continue regular checkups and care consistently

in order to keep the implant healthy for a long time.

Please remember this and put it into practice! 💛

Seoul of Dental Hospital Jamsil 4th and 5th floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul