For anyone with damaged implants, it is important to know dental implant restoration is possible. While some issues may seem ignorable, no one should continue to wear damaged implants. Doing so can cause additional trauma and more severe health concerns. Continue reading to find out a few options to restore damaged implants.
Loose dental implant
While dental implants typically have a high success rate, there is always a chance an issue might arise. One problem dental professionals see is a loose dental implant. This condition can occur when the implant never fully fuses to the jawbone. When the fusing process is not completed at the time of crown or denture attachment, the implant can loosen up over time. Also, because a strong, healthy jawbone is necessary for a stable implant, bone loss in the jaw can cause an implant to become loose. In either case, a replacement implant may be necessary.
Getting a replacement implant
Unfortunately, there is no easy way to replace an implant. The dental implant restoration process can take a prolonged period of time and up to four steps:
- Surgically remove the old implant.
- Perform a bone graft on the jawbone.
- Surgically insert new implants.
- Attach replacement teeth.
The healing time required between each step can be extensive, especially for patients who require a bone graft. Because of the time and investment necessary to replace a loose implant, it is crucial to have the entire mouth thoroughly examined before beginning the process. An issue with the gums or another tooth can lead to bone deterioration and implant trouble.
Cracked or missing crown
Many times a crown can be easily restored without affecting the implant. For others, the implant must be entirely replaced.
Repairing the crown
Damage such as a small chip or crack can often be repaired without having to remove the crown from the implant. This is the least invasive and quickest type of implant restoration. It can typically be performed in a single office visit, often without the need for any numbing agents.
Replacing the crown
If a crown has completely fallen out, it could be due to injury or abutment breakage. If the replacement tooth has not been lost, bring it to the dental appointment. In some cases, biting into hard food like ice or candy can cause injury to the crown. For others, a crown may fall out when an abutment is damaged. Because the abutment connecting the implant to the crown is thin, anything from head trauma to normal wear and tear can result in damage. Anytime the abutment is compromised, the entire crown typically needs to be replaced.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implant Restoration in Chicago, IL.
Conclusion
Despite the high success rate implants typically achieve, dental implant restoration may still be necessary. While a chipped or cracked crown may be a quick fix, a broken abutment can mean getting a completely new crown. A loose implant is usually the most complicated issue to restore and can involve replacing the entire implant.
Request an appointment or call Total Care Dental at 773-786-9586 for an appointment in our Chicago office.
Related Posts
An All-on-4® treatment can replace multiple teeth. This extensive procedure is for people who are going to have several teeth extracted. It is also for those who have lost many teeth already. Knowing all that you can about the teeth-replacement options available to you is important. If you want to know if an All-on-4 can…
Considering clear braces? Read on to learn more about the process and duration of treatment. Patients often inquire about the length of time they will need to wear clear braces at their first appointment with the dentist. The patient's condition mostly determines the duration. Braces may take longer than expected in certain cases, and individuals…
The term All-on-4® refers to a more convenient alternative than conventional dentures. It involves installing dental implants into the patient’s jaw to serve as the base for a special type of dentures that are fixed in place.Traditional dentures are the most affordable way to replace missing teeth, but they have issues like poor stability. This…