Natural teeth can change position, especially when there is a missing tooth, so it is reasonable to ask whether the same thing can happen with an implant.
A dental implant is designed to fuse completely with the jawbone, but the surrounding teeth, gums, bone, and bite can change over time. Those changes can affect how your implant looks, feels, and functions without the implant itself actually moving.
In this article, we will look at how dental implants are anchored in the jaw, whether an implant can actually shift after it has healed, what can happen to the teeth surrounding an implant. We will also discuss what can cause an implant to become loose and the signs that mean you should have it checked by a dentist.
Can a Dental Implant Actually Move?
A successfully integrated dental implant is designed to remain firmly anchored in the jawbone.
This is different from a natural tooth. A natural tooth is connected to the surrounding bone by a periodontal ligament, which allows a small amount of natural movement. An implant does not have that ligament. Instead, it is designed to integrate directly with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration.
Once the bone has healed, the implant itself should not shift in the jaw or wobble when you bite.
That does not mean everything around an implant stays exactly the same, though. Your gums, jawbone, bite, and neighboring teeth can all change over the years. Those changes can sometimes make an implant seem as though it has moved when the implant itself has remained in the same position.
Understanding the Components of an Implant
There are three main components to a dental implant restoration:
The implant: A small post that is placed in the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root.
The abutment: The connector that attaches the implant post to the replacement tooth.
The crown: The visible part of the restoration that is made to resemble and function like a natural tooth.
Because these parts work together, movement in the crown or another component does not necessarily mean the implant underneath it has moved.
For example, a mechanical problem can cause a crown or connecting screw to loosen. You may notice movement when you bite, even though the implant remains firmly integrated with the bone.
For this reason, a dentist needs to determine exactly what is moving before deciding that an implant has shifted or failed.
Can the Teeth Around a Dental Implant Move?
Yes, natural teeth change position over time as the jaw bone and gum tissues change, as the bite changes, or when other teeth are lost. Orthodontic treatment, periodontal disease, and normal changes associated with aging can also affect tooth position.
Suppose you lose a tooth and eventually have an implant placed in that space. The implant itself is anchored in bone, but the natural teeth next to it are still capable of changing position.
That means your implant can remain stable while the teeth beside it slightly move. You might notice a small change in the way your teeth come together, a change in the space between teeth, or a different feeling when you bite, but these can all be due to the shifting of the natural teeth around it.
Can Bone Loss Cause a Dental Implant to Move?
The bone surrounding an implant needs to remain healthy for it to stay firmly anchored. If disease causes progressive loss of that supporting bone, the implant can eventually lose stability. Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory infection that affects the tissues around a dental implant and can cause the supporting bone to gradually break down.
There is not one single cause of peri-implantitis, however, bacterial plaque and biofilm play an important role in inflammation around implants. Other factors can also affect risk, including a history of periodontal disease, smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, inadequate plaque control, implant positioning, certain prosthetic factors, and characteristics of the soft tissues around the implant.
Having one of these factors does not mean that an implant will develop peri-implantitis, however it is one of the reasons that maintaining healthy tissues around an implant is part of protecting its long-term function.
What Are the Signs That Something Has Changed?
You should have an implant evaluated if you notice a new or persistent change such as:
• Movement or wobbling of the implant tooth
• A crown that feels loose
• Clicking or unusual movement when biting
• A sudden change in your bite
• Pain when chewing
• Persistent tenderness around the implant
• Swelling or redness around the implant
• Bleeding around the implant
• Pus or drainage
• A persistent bad taste or odor around the implant
• A visible change in the position of the restoration
Having the implant checked promptly can help identify the cause before the problem becomes more serious.
With more than 25 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Delwyn Dick, DDS, at Kootenai Dental Group in Coeur d’Alene, ID, can perform a thorough examination of your dental implants. During your appointment, you will learn what is happening, what treatment options are available, and receive the professional guidance you need to make an informed decision about the best next step for your situation.
How Can a Dentist Tell If an Implant Has Moved?
Dr. Delwyn Dick, DDS, will examine the restoration and the tissues around the implant. Depending on what he finds, he may also check your bite, measure the tissues around the implant, and take dental X-rays or other imaging.
Previous records can be very helpful when evaluating an implant. Comparing current X-rays with earlier images allows us to see if there have been any changes in the amount of bone supporting the implant. Measurements taken during your examination can also be compared with previous visits to identify changes over time.
What Happens If an Implant Really Is Moving?
Treatment depends on what is actually causing the movement.
If the crown or another connecting component is loose but the implant itself remains stable, the dentist may be able to repair, tighten, replace, or otherwise address the affected component.
If the implant itself is mobile, the situation is different.
True mobility of the implant after successful healing is not considered normal. Your dentist will need to determine whether there is a problem with the implant’s integration with the bone, whether supporting bone has been lost, or whether another biological or mechanical problem is involved.
The treatment will then depend on the cause and severity of the problem.
In some situations, the surrounding condition can be treated and the implant maintained. In other cases, an implant that has lost its stability may need to be removed.
If removal becomes necessary, that does not automatically mean you can never have another implant. Depending on the condition of the area, your dentist may recommend allowing the site to heal, rebuilding lost bone when appropriate, and then considering replacement.
How Can You Keep a Dental Implant Stable?
Even with such a high long-term success rate, complications can still develop over time, and there is no way to guarantee that an implant will remain problem-free forever.
You can, however, reduce some of the factors that can affect the health of the implant and the tissues around it.
Keep the area clean
Good plaque control is important for maintaining healthy tissues around implants.
Brush regularly and clean around and between your teeth according to your dentist’s recommendations. The best way of doing this can vary depending on whether you have a single implant crown, an implant bridge, or a full arch restoration.
Keep up with professional maintenance
Having an implant does not mean you can stop going to the dentist once the restoration is complete.
Regular checkups allow the dentist to monitor the tissues around the implant and identify changes over time.
Tell your dentist if you grind or clench your teeth
Because bruxism can increase mechanical stress on implant-supported restorations, your dentist may recommend additional monitoring or protection depending on your circumstances.
Do not ignore changes
Dental implant problems do not always begin with severe pain. A change in the way the restoration feels when you bite may be the first sign that something needs to be checked.
When Should You Call Your Dentist About a Changing Implant?
If something about your dental implant feels different, it is worth having it checked. You may notice a change in your bite, movement when you chew, a loose feeling in the crown, or discomfort around the implant.
These changes do not necessarily mean that the implant itself has moved. The teeth around it can shift over time, the gums and supporting bone can change, or the problem may involve the crown or another part of the restoration.
The only way to know what is happening is to have the implant and surrounding tissues examined.
At Kootenai Dental Group in Coeur d’Alene, ID, Dr. Dewlyn Dick, DDS, and our team of experts can evaluate your implant and help you understand the options available for your particular situation.
Call 208-762-8750 to schedule your free consultation today!