Dental implants are designed to be strong, stable, and permanent, but in rare cases, they can become loose. If you’re experiencing a wobbly or shifting implant, it’s important to act quickly. While this situation can feel alarming, it doesn’t always mean the implant has failed. Still, early evaluation is key.
So, what should you do if your dental implant feels loose? First, stop using that area of your mouth to chew, avoid hard or sticky foods, and contact your oral surgeon immediately. A loose dental implant could be a sign of a mechanical issue with the crown or abutment, or in some cases, it could signal a deeper problem like bone loss or infection.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to tell if your implant is loose, what to do right away, what to do if it happens on a weekend, and how to reduce your risk in the future.
How Can You Tell if Your Dental Implant is Loose?
It’s not always obvious, but some common signs of a loose implant include:
- Movement or shifting when chewing or touching the implant
- Discomfort or pain near the implant site
- A sensation that the tooth “doesn’t fit right” anymore
- Clicking or popping sounds when biting
- Visible gaps between the implant and the gumline
Sometimes, the implant itself isn’t loose, but the crown or abutment (the connector piece) has come loose. That’s a much simpler fix, but only a professional evaluation can tell the difference.
What Should You Do Right Away?
If your dental implant feels loose, take the following steps to protect the area and avoid making the situation worse:
Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth
Stick to soft foods, avoid hard or crunchy items, and don’t apply pressure to the implant area.
Keep your mouth clean
Continue brushing and rinsing gently. Avoid aggressive brushing near the implant.
Don’t try to adjust or remove anything
Never twist, wiggle, or remove the implant crown yourself, even if it seems like it’s coming off. This could damage the implant or the surrounding bone.
Contact your oral surgeon as soon as possible
The sooner you’re seen, the easier it is to determine the cause and correct the issue before further damage occurs.
Contact us to schedule an appointment and let our team guide you through the next steps.
What If It Happens on a Weekend or After Hours?
If your implant becomes loose outside of office hours, it’s still important to take precautions:
- Do not chew on the implant or the surrounding area
- Stick to soft foods only and avoid hot or spicy meals that could irritate the gum tissue
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean
- Call your surgeon’s office and leave a detailed message so they can follow up first thing on the next business day
If you experience significant pain, bleeding, swelling, or suspect an infection, you may need emergency dental care. In that case, visit an emergency dentist or urgent care provider who can evaluate the issue until your oral surgeon is available.
Can a Loose Dental Implant Be Fixed?
It depends on what’s actually loose. If the implant crown feels loose, the issue is often related to the abutment screw, which connects the crown to the implant post. In this case, your surgeon or restorative dentist can typically tighten or replace the screw, stabilizing the crown without affecting the implant itself.
However, if the implant post (the part anchored in the jawbone) is loose, this usually indicates implant failure, often due to poor osseointegration or excessive bone loss. In these cases, the implant may need to be removed and replaced once the area has healed.
If bone loss is present but the implant remains stable, treatment may involve managing peri-implantitis (infection) and performing bone grafting to regenerate lost bone and preserve the implant.
At Innovative Oral Surgery, our dental implants team uses advanced diagnostic imaging to determine exactly what’s going on and create a personalized treatment plan to restore your comfort and function.
How to Prevent Your Dental Implant from Becoming Loose
Once your implant is repaired or replaced, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of it happening again:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene – brush twice daily and floss around the implant
- Avoid hard or sticky foods, especially in the early healing period
- Stop smoking, as it increases the risk of implant failure
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth (bruxism)
- Attend regular dental checkups so your implant can be monitored over time
With proper care and regular follow-ups, your implant can last a lifetime.
Don’t Ignore a Loose Implant—Get Help Today
If your dental implant feels loose or uncomfortable, don’t wait to see if it gets better. Early action is the best way to protect your health and avoid more complex issues down the line.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified oral surgeons and get peace of mind with expert care.
Looking for long-term tooth replacement options? Learn more about dental implants and how they can restore your smile.
