Your treatment will depend on the problem and its cause. The most common concern is a loose implant crown. The screw can loosen and in most cases, no, this is NOT your implant. There is a small screw that connects the
crown to the actual implant. If the screw is loose there is a simple fix. The crown will need to have a hole drilled in it for access to the screw. The majority of the time the screw can be tightened and it is a simple 10
minute fix.
In cases where the implant crown becomes detached, it is easy for us to recement the crown or make any other repairs if necessary. However, if the crown cracks and the damage to the crown is severe, it will need to
be remade.
Sometimes a part of the implant, the abutment or a part of the crown has broken. Even though dental implants are made of metal they can break under the large biting forces. It is extremely rare but it can happen. If either the crown or the abutment (part that attaches the crown to the actual root implant) is broken then you are in luck. This can be fixed, however, a bit costly. Your dental implant is still good and the abutment and crown can simply be remade and a new one installed within a few weeks.
If your dental implant has fractured, unfortunately, it cannot be fixed. A new implant can be installed after removing the broken one.
If infection is present around your implant, our doctors will use our laser to decontaminate and sterilize around the implant and to clean out the plaque and bacteria that have accumulated around your implant. This procedure is extremely effective and typically requires 3-4 short visits spaced a week apart.
Significant bone loss may require bone grafting to improve the site. Once the bone graft is complete, your mouth may need several months to heal.
Our doctors will always try to save your implant. If the implant can not be saved, they will remove the implant and carefully clean the area. If there is enough healthy bone in the same area, a bone graft may not be
needed. If too much infection is present or too much bone is lost, bone grafting may be necessary to rebuild and begin the process of healing and inserting a new implant, making careful note of what went wrong the
first time.
Dental implants are durable and long-lasting but even if you do your best to take care of your implant, there are reasons beyond your control why it might fail. If you have an implant that you think may be in need of repair please contact our office right away. We can take care of your problem and fix your dental implant. We look forward to helping you.
