Dental Implant Fell Out
Even though dental implants are intended to be permanent, dentists sometimes receive alarmed phone calls reporting that a patient’s dental implant has fallen out. Most of the time, it’s actually not the implant that has fallen out, but the abutment. A dental implant is made of three separate parts: the implant fixture, the abutment, and the crown. The fixture is the small post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. These implant fixtures are usually made of titanium, though they may be made of other materials. The crown is the artificial tooth that is visible among the gum line. The abutment is the attachment that holds the dental crown onto the tip of the implant. While the implant fixture itself can fail, this is rare. Most of the time, when part of a dental abutment falls out of the mouth, it is, in fact, the abutment that has fallen out; the implant fixture remains in the bone. Though it will require an office visit, in most cases the abutment can be replaced and the crown can be reattached, restoring the dental implant to mint condition.
It is possible for dental implants to fail; usually, however, the implant fixture will loosen before it falls out of the mouth, and it would take a significant amount of time for the fixture to loosen sufficiently. Dental implant failure can be caused by inadequate bone density in the jaw, though this is an issue that should be addressed and treated before implants are ever even placed. Implant failure may also occur because of bacterial infection in the gums that surround the implant, or by certain chronic medical conditions that affect the body’s ability to heal. The healing process is a particularly important part of a successful dental implant procedure. When the implant fixtures are placed into the jaw, the bone begins to heal around the implant fixtures. The implants are made of biocompatible material that encourages the growth of healthy bone and attracts bone to its surface; as the bone heals, it fuses with the implant material, in a process called osseointegration. Once osseointegration has completed, a dental implant is as securely affixed in the jaw as a natural tooth root would be, which is one of the more appealing characteristics of dental implants. Some chronic health conditions may adversely affect the osseointegration process, thereby contributing to implant failure.
If you have a medical condition that could contribute to implant failure, be sure to discuss this with your dentist during your initial consultation. If you are an older person and have begun to lose bone mass, your dentist may recommend nutritional supplements or other treatments to strengthen your bones and encourage implant success. In general, people with dental implants should avoid biting down on excessively hard or sticky foods, as this can damage the crown and abutment and can also cause the implant to shift. Dental implants require the same oral hygiene routine as natural teeth; patients should brush and floss daily and see their dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. Even though the teeth aren’t your natural teeth, the gum tissue, tongue, and other soft tissue in the mouth must remain clean and free of bacteria to maintain the health of the periodontium and prevent gum disease, which can lead to implant failure.
Implant failure may also result from inadequate aftercare following implant surgery. Your doctor will closely review your specific aftercare requirements with you, but it is universally recommended that smoking and drinking alcohol should be avoided while the implant is healing, and patients should also use caution to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the replacement tooth. Dentists recommend a diet of liquids and soft foods for a period following implant placement, and patients should also avoid strenuous activities in these earlier stages. It is also important for patients to commit to an effective oral hygiene routine to ensure implant success. In the unfortunate case that an implant does fall out, an oral surgeon can repair the implant, though a bone graft may be necessary to secure the replacement implant.
Before an implant falls out, it usually becomes loose. Detecting a loose implant early can be instrumental in preventing it from eventually falling out. Symptoms of a loose implant include pain, bone loss, bleeding when stimulated, and visible discoloration in the area of the implant. If you have dental implants and have any of these symptoms, see your dentist immediately so that your implant can be saved. It may not be widely known, but losing a dental implant can actually create life-threatening conditions. When an implant loosens or falls out, a number of different types of bacteria can enter the bloodstream, affecting the brain and heart and possibly leading to sepsis, which can be fatal. Replacing an implant can also be costly, which is just another reason to seek dental care immediately if you suspect that your dental implant has become loose.
While most dental implant surgeries are successful, sometimes dental implants can fall out. Of course, you should see your dentist immediately if this happens. It may be possible for your dental implant to be reinserted. If it is only the crown that has fallen out, it may be able to be reattached easily. If the abutment has been damaged, it can be replaced and the crown can be reattached. If the implant has become loosened due to periodontal disease, treating and reversing the periodontal disease may help them save their implant, and if it has loosened due to loss of bone mass, a bone graft may be necessary. The only way to determine the cause of a loosened implant, however, is to see your dentist for a complete exam. Your dentist will determine the reason for the implant falling out and will discuss treatment options with you. If your dental implant has fallen out, be sure to save whatever fell out of your mouth and retain it until you can see your dentist. Call your dentist immediately; if you can’t get in for an exam right away, avoid chewing on the area where the implant was, and rinse the mouth periodically with an alcohol-free mouthwash to keep the site free of bacteria until you can receive professional treatment.