Can Dental Implants Fall Out?

Dental implants are an excellent solution for restoring your entire smile. When one thinks of "implant," it's associated with permanence and for the most part, this is true. Dental implants are posts embedded in your jawbone, resembling a tooth root. An artificial tooth, or crown, is then affixed to the post which shouldn’t be falling out any time soon.

Implants have an amazingly high success rate, and while there are rare instances where they might loosen or fail, it's typically the crown part that becomes unlatched, not the implant itself.

A loose crown doesn't necessarily signal serious trouble. Dental implants are dependable but require regular attention, just like natural teeth. 

Maintaining daily oral hygiene and routinely seeing a professional for cleaning support the implant's lifespan. However, daily use can sometimes loosen or damage the crown, prompting a visit to your dental team (that's where we come in!).

While it's possible for implant failure to occur, it's atypical. For a loose implant, it’s probable that the crown requires servicing. Make an appointment with your dentist to troubleshoot issues and ensure your smile remains vibrant and healthy.

Unpacking Dental Implants

A dental implant, often called a tooth implant, is a fabricated root often made of titanium. The term "implant" is common, but the true implant is a small screw situated in the jawbone to act as the root for the missing tooth and serves as a base for a crown, or the artificial tooth affixed.

Getting a dental implant isn't a quick process, it typically requires several trips to the dentist and months of healing between each visit.

If your dentist approves an implant, the beginning procedure involves placing the dental implant beneath the gum tissue in the jawbone. While there are various types of dental implants, this remains the most preferred method.

After placement, the implant merges with the bone over a few months. Once the implant is secure, an abutment is attached, bridging the gap between the crown and the implant.

And just like magic, you have a brand-new artificial tooth!

Perks of Dental Implants

Tooth implants are a leading option for tooth replacement due to numerous benefits. The top one? Their impressive success rate. A 2021 study revealed that 94% of titanium dental implants remain sturdy after 15 years.

Other advantages include:

• An unnoticeable look and feel
• Aiding stability in adjacent teeth
• Preventing jaw bone loss
• Restoring biting and chewing ability
• Preserving facial structure
• A generally enhanced quality of life

Dental implants are strong and long-lasting because of a process called osseointegration. This is where the implant joins with your jawbone to stay firmly in place.

Can Implants Dislodge?

At times many people think their implant is loose, it's often the visible part, the crown, which is like your real tooth, that's the issue. It usually isn't the actual implant. If you spot something moving, it's probably easily fixable and linked to the crown, not a big implant problem.

Although rare, implants can fail, typically due to extenuating circumstances, including:

• Trauma
• Severe bacterial infection
• Overload
• Material failure
• Lack of osseointegration
• Peri-implantitis

Determinants of Implant Stability

Several factors influence the health and stability of a dental implant, some you can control, others you can't.

Oral Hygiene

The sustainability of implants highly depends on the health of your gums and bone—your oral hygiene plays an integral part in maintaining this health. Just as with your natural pearly whites, implants need the same care such as brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits.

Significantly, a gum disease can put your implant at risk by instigating an infection around it. It's therefore vital to treat any existing gum illness before opting for surgery.

Smoking

Lighting up a smoke can hamper your body's recuperative abilities, cutting off essential blood supply to your gums. Imagine this pivotal process being hindered, making it a struggle for your implant to bond effectively with your bone - this amplifies the likelihood of your implant not making the cut.

Insufficient Jawbone

A crucial component of the preliminary implant evaluation involves confirming sufficient bone presence in your jaw to uphold the implant. It's essential for the implant to fuse harmoniously with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration.

Although a bone graft could potentially increase bone volume in your jaw, it may not always be a viable option.

Medical Conditions

If you are suffering from health problems that slow down your body's natural healing process, they could potentially raise the likelihood of dental implant complications. This slowed healing process could hamper osseointegration, an essential part of successful dental implantation. 

For instance, if you have conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, it may deter you from opting for an implant.

Determinants of Implant Crown Stability

A number of factors can influence the stability and longevity of the crown attached to it.

Cement Quality

The cement used for affixing the crown to the abutment is of utmost importance. A strong, enduring cement ensures a firm grasp, significantly reducing the odds of a loose crown.

Abutment Screw

During routine dental examinations, it's pertinent for the tiny bolt linking the abutment to the implant to be inspected for any signs of degradation. Any slack in this screw may put the stability of your crown at risk.

Bite Force & Habits

Indulging in extremely tough materials such as ice or hard sweets, or even grinding your teeth, can place undue strain on the crown and its support structure. This may eventually result in the crown becoming unstable over time.

Oral Hygiene

Just like your natural teeth, your implant crown needs brushing and flossing. Ignoring regular care can open the door to peri-implantitis, an inflammation that targets the tissues around the implant, putting the crown at risk.

Preserve Your Dental Implants

In theory, dental implants can indeed fall out. However, with diligent care and expert advice, such instances are few and far between. In fact, the crown is more apt to give way before the implant does.

At Aqua Dental Wellness, we're your trusted partner in oral health! We collaborate with you to identify and address any issues with your dental implants, restoring them to peak condition. Book your consultation now and let's get those smiles back to brilliance!