Dental implants are a good replacement for teeth that are lost or broken, but in some cases they might experience complications. We asked several periodontists (dentists who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants) for the top 5 signs your dental implant is failing.
Bleeding or swelling gums
All of the periodontists we talked to had this as their number one sign that your dental implant is in trouble. Bleeding is never normal in your mouth. Bleeding when you brush is a sign of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Bleeding around your dental implant is a sign of disease around your dental implant. Red or puffy gums are also a clear sign of infection.
Read this to find out more about signs & symptoms of gum disease
Implant is loose when you chew or touch it
Dr. Rebecca Wagner adds that it’s possible that the crown that is connected to your implant is loose. But, if it’s not corrected, there can be damage to the bone and implant. Remember, the implant doesn’t have a nerve, so it won’t hurt. If you feel your implant moving, get it checked out ASAP as that could be a sign of bone loss.
Rebecca Wagner, DDS, MS The Wagner Center for Implants & Periodontics http://www.thewagnercentre.com
Discomfort when chewing
Any time a patient of Dr. Crystal McIntosh’s mentions discomfort when they are chewing, she suggests they come in for a visit ASAP. Unlike your natural teeth, your dental implant doesn’t have a nerve. So, if you’re feeling discomfort, it might be the nerves in your gums signaling an irritation. Or it could be a sign that your teeth aren’t aligned correctly and putting too much pressure on that area of your mouth; that stress can cause issues in different areas of your mouth. Any time you feel pain, especially around a dental implant, it is a huge warning sign that something is definitely wrong.
Crystal McIntosh, DDS, MS Metropolitan Dental Specialty Group metdentgroup.com
Your dental implant feels “different”
If your implant ever feels ‘different’, it might be a sign you have a problem, according to Dr. Kyle Malloy. Implants are generally very stable, so if it feels different, it is your body telling you to pay attention. Feeling “different” includes swelling, mobility, discomfort, or even a change in your bite. You may not always be able to pinpoint exactly what feels ‘off’, but your dentist can, so yes, you should schedule a visit to be checked out.
Kyle Malloy, DMD, MS Malloy Periodontics & Implantology malloyperio.com
Food is trapped around the implant
If you’re finding food is becoming trapped around the implant, you should talk to your dentist, recommends Dr. Francesca Failla. That trapping might be a sign of gums pulling away from the implant. Not all patients have the same early warning signs; some of our patients first feel discomfort when they are cleaning around their implant, Dr. Failla adds.
Francesca Failla, DMD Nashua Riverfront Dentistry https://www.nashuariverfrontdentistry.com/
We are all unique and our bodies can respond in different ways. If you have any of these signs your dental implant is failing, or if you think something is wrong with your dental implant, be sure to have it checked out.