My dental implant is loose and sore.

Question

I've had the implant for over ten years, one of two bottom molars. The other implant is fine. Will the implant fall out or will it have to be extracted? Will I need antibiotics in the meantime?

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

Call your dentist right away and have it checked out.  It may not be the implant that is loose, but rather the screw that holds the abutment in place.  If you are not having pain this is likely the case.  Your dentist would drill through the crown and tighten the screw down.  Hopefully, this is all that needs to be done.

Elly Tehrani, DMD, MSD · Answer

you need to see your dentist as soon as possible and have him/her check the implants .sometimes the attachment screws to the implant is loose and not the implant itself.  The dentist could simply tighten this and adjust your bite/ check for other causative factors to make sure this does not happen again.  Otherwise the loose attachment will damage the implant and the surrounding bone.If the implant itself is loose, then it is a failed implant, it will need to be removed before the site gets infected.your dentist could go over your options to replace this implant if it needs to be removed. good luck

Victoria Veytsman, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry.  We're sorry to hear about the discomfort and mobility you're experiencing with your current implant.  It's difficult to say what will happen to this loose implant, but be sure to make an appointment with your dentist who placed it (or another experienced implant dentist) as soon as possible.  It may have an infection and need to be extracted or if the infection is progressed, the implant could come out on its own (this is rare).  You may need antibiotics but again your dentist will recommend what meds you may need and the prognosis for your implant.  However, just because it's loose and sore doesn't mean it will come out or have to come out.  Something is definitely going on and you wouldn't want your other implant to begin to have symptoms as well so have them both checked out sooner rather than later. Implants should not be mobile but your crown restoration on top of it may be so best to have all checked out.  We hope this helps and wish you the best of luck!

Joel Klasfeld, DDS · Answer

Schedule an appointment with your dentist to evaluate.  It could be that the screw retaining the abutment piece is loose under the crown and not an implant failure.  If so, it may be a simple solution to just retighten the screw.

Herbert Veisman, DDS · Answer

This could be a loose crown or implant itself. See your surgeon to assess the situation and give you your options

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My dental implant is loose and sore.

Answers (7)

Answer: Loose implant

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Answer: Loose lower implant

Answer: Loose lower implant

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.