My dental implant fell out
My dental implant fell out!
My dental implant fell out is something we hear from time to time from a patient after we put in a dental implant. Almost always that is not exactly the case.
My dental implant fell out!
Typically when a patient calls to tell us this, something other than the dental implant falling out is what is actually going on. The first thing we really want to see is a photo of whatever it is that came out. In order of things that I have personally seen patients call and say, “My dental implant fell out!” are
- The healing abutment is without question the number one thing that patients call about when saying “My dental implant fell out!”
- The rest of these are much less common but the abutment screw is one we have had patients call about.
- Patients also occasionally call when a blood clot or our perio pack fall out.
- Finally, probably the least common thing patients call about is the actual dental implant falling out.
In this photo the custom abutment is attached to the dental implant implant. The arrows point to the seam where the 2 components attach.
The healing abutment is what the patient is calling and saying my dental implant fell out
This is common. I don’t know exact percentage but I would guess around 5% for me. This occurs for several reasons and we can limit the percentage by tightening with our torque wrench. I personally do not use a torque wrench for this but many do. Another reason this occurs is the healing abutment is not fully down all the way because it is tight against bone or tissue. Eventually as the healing process begins the bone and tissue change and the healing abutment loosens.
Healing abutments are the most common thing to fall out. Their size and shape varies from company to company but most look fairly similar to these two.
The prosthetic screw is what they mistake for the dental implant.
This does not happen often because the the whole abutment would come out as well but in some cases it is possible for just this to come out. The prosthetic screw attaches the abutment to the dental implant, I know that is probably too technical, sorry! Anyway, here is a picture of a prosthetic screw looks like. They are all very similar and very small.
Prosthetic screw not a dental implant
The loss of the perio pack is what we sometimes see patients calling in about and saying my dental implant fell out.
This basically looks like a bloody clot. There are different versions of perio packs and they look different. I’m not going to show this cause they look like a bloody ball of slime.
My dental implant fell out – yes it really is the dental implant!
If this happens it is a real bummer! This does happen but it is rare. I have seen plenty of failures but it is unusual that a dental implant actually falls out and the patient brings it back. I have only seen it once (well it actually happened twice on the same individual). We made him a dental bridge!
This is a dental implant by itself.
Am I one of those people who would not be a candidate for an implanted screw/tooth? I have had a strong nickel allergy since my 20’s. It is contact and causes an itchy rash quickly. I’m now 70. Runs in the family. I could wear no jewelry at all against my skin until I found a special on-line company that has items for people like me. Their metal is fine. I had problems even with jewelry that said “surgical steel” or for sensitive skin.
I want no risk for having to remove some inflamed device that flares up due to a sensitivity. I see even dentures have some metal that seems to hold the appliance in place.
Nickel sensitivity is very common but is not used much in dentistry. It is inexpensive so very cheap dental crowns may have it but that’s about it. Dental implants are 100% titanium, so no nickel.
Another implant question. A local prosthedontist has as a service that reads “our prosthodontist works with an oral surgeon or periodontist to place immediately loaded dental implants. This procedure usually only takes just one or two short appointments that typically only last an hour or so. The use of advanced technology …” then says “traditional implants take a long time to fuse securely to the jaw bone in a process called osseointegration. This means a long waiting period …”
Is this a newer or alternative implant solution that is mainstream? Sounds like it is fast and not the months of recovery for traditional implant.
No it just means they put a temporary crown on immediately then after it heals they take new impressions to make the final crown. There is an increased risk of implant failure doing this but it is fairly common to do this on front teeth where the benefits of having a fixed tooth for the 4 month healing process outweigh the risks of losing the implant. Don’t do that in the back. Here is a post on the topic of temporization. The first one is immediately loaded. It is possible that they are placing the final implant crown on the day of the surgery. Very little benefit to this and much more risk.
My abutment fell out I like to know will it close up the hole where the implant will be placed
It will close up some but not completely. Sometimes I am able to get one back in with just some topical gel sometimes I have to get people numb and remove extra tissue.
I was asleep last night and heard a click and then found the abutment in my mouth. At first I was as like “what?” And worried and couldn’t sleep. I’ve called my dentists and oral surgeon. And of course it’s a Sunday. Will this close up in the next day?! I tried to put it back in myself, and it’s a no go.:( The dentist just put 2 implants on last Monday and this one, the tooth didn’t fit. So he put the abutment back on and said i had to wait for the new tooth. So I assume he didn’t tighten it enough?
Shouldn’t be an issue. I assume you spoke to office already though
I have an implant screw that was/is sensitive to the touch of my tongue. About a week ago & with my fingers, I turned it until it felt tight & it then was no longer sensitive to the touch of my tongue.
Last night, the problem came back. I tried to tighten it with my fingers again & it is not tightening. It reminds me of a stripped screw.
Should I be concerned about the screw falling out, failed implant, etc? Is it normal to be able to turn the screw with my fingers?
My hope is that it just needs to be tightened.
Thank you for your response.
You should not be tightening it yourself. It’s not necessarily abnormal but the dentist who placed the implant should do that to rule out any issues.
Thanks
Saw my dentist & he tightened my abutments. So glad it was nothing serious. Thank you for your kind response.
Do these things grow weak from age/having 50+ years of dental Xrays?
I’m 68 and my screw & tooth just came out for the second time yesterday.
First time was about 6 weeks ago when a dentist easily fitted it back in.
Also, my root canals (about 3) were all successful until the last two within the past six years. (Age? Xrays?)
I have Prime-Dent Glass Ionomer Cement but can find nothing online as to whether it can be used to fix the problem until my appointment in 13 days. Would it work? Thank you!
It sounds like you have dental posts not implants? When posts keep falling out you need the root extracted and to get a dental implant.
Today I believe my dental prosthetic screw came out of my bottom jaw., where I originally had 4 implant screws put in preparing for the “all on 4” implants in my bottom jaw. ** If a “dental prosthetic screw “comes out, is the implant still in the hole that the screw came out of? If so~ would the dentist be able to re-use the screw? Would a bone graft have to be put in the gum first? I am so confused…
I had these 4 implants put in my lower jaw sev years ago~ and all went well…. I should have had my mouth work/implants all completed long before now, but a family tragedy/ crisis took my time and focus…both emotionally and physically.
I have been wearing a horrible clunky lower bottom denture since then, and have to remove it twice a day and use a lot of denture adhesive to keep it in. YES~ I should have gone back to my dentist to go forward with my implant procedure long ago. Family matters came up unfortunately, that prevented that ( deaths of several family members in a Very short period of time)
Excuse me for saying this~ but I now feel screwed… and am so upset. Was all this work done thus far for naught? I appreciate your input, and thank you for your consideration in answering my question…
There is a good chance the implants are just fine. Mostly likely you lost a cover screw and those can easily be replaced. They are small, usually more like 2 or 3mm tall. An implant for an all on 4 is often 10+mm long (often 13mm long) but can be any length in some circumstances.
Thank you for your reply~ but they are definitely not the “cover” for the screws. I know what those look like, and the ones (2) that came out look more like screws…( I believe the dentist put in 2 shorter screws, and 2 longer screws that he angled. The screws that came out are short, but they have grooves on them like a screw does.
Thats what I don’t understand… I had virtually no problems when they were initially put in~ and the dentist even remarked what a fast healer I was!!
I know the clunky denture with adhesive was really becoming very bothersome, and I had wondered whether my having to pull the denture out with adhesive still stuck to it, was a contributing factor to the screw ( OR whatever) suddenly appearing to have been “pulled out?” Or doesn’t that make any sense? I don’t know.
I have saved the screws or whatever, and will of course take them to my dentist when I get to see him. My question > IF these are the implants or screws, will he have to do bone grafts and drill new holes? This whole situation is weighing quite heavily on me.. along with the wondering of how much more money this will potentially cause me to now remedy. Look~ I know it was wrong to put off going back when I should of….. But unfortunately sometimes life throws us obstacles, and things have to be put on the back burner. We just have to know how to go forward from that point on.
Once again thank you for any comments you may have. They are very appreciated 🙂
How many millimeters tall are they? Less than 10mm and they are either healing abutment, multi-unit abutment or cover screw. All there are threaded like a screw. Implants can get rocked out with a denture. Good luck!
Thank you for taking the time to response to my question…
I measured them and the “screws” ( or whatever they are) are 5mm long…
So I guess that these are possibly some kind of abutment or prosthetic screws then? … and yes, ` I believe that the denture sitting on them, or “rocking” against them caused them to come out.
ps) your answer made me feel a little bit better~and hopeful that while this situation needs to be dealt with and corrected, it is not as serious as I was thinking..
Thank you again.
5mm is NOT an implant. It is some kind of abutment that gets screwed into the implant. A dentist can just screw it back in. It doesn’t mean the implants are in good shape but at least it’s not the implant that fell out! Good news for you!!
THANK YOU a thousand times for your answers, and for allowing me to “breathe again!” 🙂
My daughter had implant surgery last March and was released last September to go back to the dentist to get the tooth made. We waited till January for financial reasons. No problems everything went well. After the dentist did a mold and was trying to put the healing abutment back, she said it’s loose and pulled on the abutment and the whole screw came out.
Needless to say everyone freaked out. I now have an appointment with the oral surgeon in a few days as he is out of the country. My question is, is this fixable and how does it happen.? We are very frustrated as this has been a serious financial burden for me to get her this far. But this is what was recommended and I felt it was necessary as she is only 16. I am a bit concerned about her going in for yet another surgery in addition to the additional cost. Not sure how to reassure her that it will be ok.
Usually can just put a new one back in right away. It happens a decent amount of time, at least 5% time in most offices. I always just replace for free and just accept that 5-10% of the time it happens and I have to factor in that cost. However, if you see a in-network provider the fee is lower and the doctor can’t always afford to do it again at that fee, thus you are just out of luck.
I just lost my implant, do I have to go to the dentist? Or can I tough it out and it will just heal up?
I would recommend you go in but you don’t have to do anything.
Hello, I have three individual implants (lower left side). The crowns are hooked together though. This morning while flossing, one of the implants and the entire three crowns fell out into the sick. OMG. Two of the rear implants are still intact. What can be done? Distressed in Boston, MA.
Prob can just smooth out the bottom of the bridge where the implant fell out and reuse. I would be very suspect of the other implants though. A dentist will tell you.
Hi Bryan,
That’s exactly what the dentist did on Monday. The other two implants have lost some bone too. The bridge was put back on with a temporary adhesive and the periodontist will advise if anything can be done to the two remaining implants to secure them (i.e., add bone???). I was told that bone cannot be added to the front implant as the implants was right up against the nerve. Do you have any other recommendations? The implants have been in for 16 years. Thanks for your advise!
prob not much can be done with the other two. It’s very difficult to regrow bone up the side of implants. Depending on how old you are may be better off monitoring closely for the rest of your life. 2 implants can hold 3 teeth usually. sounds like you are in good hands though so go with their recommendations.
Bryan, Thanks again for your advise. I am 61 and will proceed cautiously.
I had a tooth implant done over the course of a year, including the extraction. The crown was put on 6 wweeks ago and fell out last week. I my dentist put it back in after removing some of the gum tissue. Its loose again. I’m diabetic and read that can contribute. Is it the meds or the disease? Are there foods that make it loosen?
Sounds like just the crown coming off. Dentist should be able to handle that.
Hi, I have 2 implants. One of my implants the entire screw fell out. It has been 2 weeks now I haven’t able to visit my dentist. The hole were the screws fell out has totally healed but I’m worried I think on the side of my upper gums were the screw fell out i think it’s infected I’m not totally sure, the gums look like has a white puss that sticking out by the side of the gums. But I don’t feel any pain whatsoever. How would I now if it’s infected or if it’s just how my gums originally look like. I’m little scared like what if it’s infected but I don’t feel it–but then the infection my spread all over my head.
Thank you
When the healing abutment comes out the gums heal over almost entirely and there will be a small amount of pus like liquid that comes out of the small hole. All of that is normal, not ideal but normal. I usually will just leave it like that until totally done healing. Sometimes it can just be replaced right away but usually the gums have closed over too much. Once the implant has healed into the bone, your dentist will have to uncover it again. Should not be an issue.
I saw my dentist today that put in my implant screws because I had 2 screws that came out. I was hoping that they weren’t the actual screws, but apparently they are. I had 4 screws put in for the All on 4 procedure. He originally put in 2 longer screws, and 2 shorter screws. It’s the 2 shorter screws that came out. I was wearing a full lower denture at that time, and hadn’t had the abutments put on yet. I am horrified about these screws coming out so long after they were put in and healed. I told the dentist that I thought it might have something to do with the fact that they were smaller screws ( 5 mm)… He said that wasn’t true, but i am still wondering about that 🙁
The dentist did tell me that the other 2 ( longer screws) are firmly in the jaw and no problems with them, as seen in the X-Ray) . My question: does the All on 4 procedure generally use a shorter and longer ( in on an angle) screw? How long are screws usually, and could the size (length) of my implant screw have been an issue here?… and what the heck do I do now? Please share your opinion and insight. I am miserable…
Hello,
10 days ago I had the final Crown put on my implant and it was immediately loose. The nurse noticed it immediately when she was doing the final clean up of cement. She took another x-ray and said the doctor would see me again in a couple weeks. As I was walking out, it did not quite sit well with me so I went back in and asked to speak with the dentist. He came out and said that he did notice it while he was putting the crown on? He also asked me to come back in a couple weeks . It seems to me it should not been this loose prior to putting the crown on and if it was ,the procedure should have been halted and reviewed. I took great care to clean and not chew in that area during the healing process. The whole tooth seems more loose now as it ‘Clicks” again the tooth next to it when I swallow sometimes. I am concerned it will just become more loose. This makes no sense to me. If it is loose from the get go, how would it get any better on its own?
makes no sense to me either.
my screws in my dental bridge got loose 4 times in 3 months what can be done been there every 2 weeks and just want it fixed
The only times I have seen this is when the implant itself is flowered/broken OR the patient is hitting the crown when grinding or chewing side to side. My guess is your dentist is just as frustrated as you as I have been there and felt that. Unfortunately every time I have seen this repeatedly happening something was wrong with the implant and it took awhile for it to be bad enough to determine for sure what that something was. Something is wrong but unfortunately for all involved it may take some time to know exactly what.
Hi so I think my implant is out after reading this. I do have a pic. It a big screw with tooth attached to it. Can’t attach the pic here. Any advice what I can do. It’s 15 years old the implant
Sounds like that is the implant if the tooth is attached. Go see your dentist
I had an implant 6 months ago(cap is yet to be fixed). But 2 days back I started feeling a loosened mass lump at the place of implant. I am really worried what it could be. Please help me out with this.
Could be the implant or the healing abutment. Need to see dentist.
Had the screw placed for an implant back in April. The abutment kept falling it and after it came out again in May, I said forget it. I was supposed to go back August 6th for the final cap to be placed, however, we ending up moving out of state unexpectedly. We won’t have insurance again until October 1st. But over the last week or so, the implant spot has been sore. Today it’s been really bothersome and I’ve noticed it’s swelled up and tender. Could this be the screw trying to come out or an abscess of some kind? Can’t sleep 😩😳 thank you!
Your current pain could be from two things, one fine and one not fine. Without a healing abutment on some brands of implants can get very irritated tissue to the point of what you are describing or the implant could be failing. You should go to a dentist now and get an xray and they will be able to tell.
Ok thanks so much!
I’m switching dentists while in the stage between implant placement and getting the crown. I got the implant in May and was cleared by the first place to take a mold and make a crown. However this new dentist says she needs to know what type of implant I have before she can order the healing kit and do a mold. It’s been weeks and the previous office just finally sent my xray but not the requested info. A family member told me I should run from anyone who says they can’t figure out my implant. Is this true? I’m getting so frustrated by this long process being made longer. Thank you
The dentist should be able to figure it out but the other doc should send quickly as well. It’s way easier for the new doc if the old one just gives him/her the info. There are thousands of different implant brands and connection types so a dentist will not know just by looking unless it’s a common one.
Today my implant came out with the whole screw im so freaked out …the crown is attached to the screw im a fifty yearly woman my implant in tooth #8 was done 7 years ago. back in April this year 2019 I knew it was moving and I went to a clinic to get check out and the X-rays show loosing of the bone around my whole upper set of teeth the dr. recommend it the solution is all on 4. my question is all on 4 is attached to the jaw? meaning the screws are bigger and what if I keep loosing bone? im desperate:(
Here are some options. I am assuming you have few other teeth that are in good shape.
I had 4 implants 6 weeks ago in top and bottom for a full set of all on 4. The bottom 4 seem ok but I can only see and feel 3 on the top, I cant feel anything at the back on one side. I wear temporary dentures while at work but do not eat with them and do not use adhesive on my gums, just a little on the roof of my mouth to stop the top set dropping while talking. I have never felt or seen anything fallen out but am worried whether the implant is still there. I don’t have any pain, is it possible the implant is still in there and if so will it still be usable?
I had an implant placed this morning (upper #14). After a long day of sleeping off the anesthesia and procedure, I woke up and accidentally clenched my teeth together, experiencing a short twinge of pain from the pressure I placed on the implant. I did it again to make sure it was the implant I was feeling and again got the same “high pitched” twinge. Is this normal? Obviously I will take care not to do this again :).
Thank you so much,
Denise
I am betting that there is nothing actually hitting in the implant area when you bite or clench so that should not matter. If you have a temp crown on the implant or anything that is hitting when you bite then call your dentist. Otherwise follow up per their recommendations.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, Dr. Bauer. It makes sense that nothing would be hitting in the implant area. I do not have a temporary crown on the implant, so maybe this was just a fluke. My dentist will be calling tonight to check on me, and I will ask him about it then. Again, thanks so much!
Hi Dr. Bauer, I just had an implant for about 3 and a half weeks ago. It has been great! I had no pain and was not swollen, whatsoever. Unexpectedly though, a few days ago the healing abutment started to loosen and now it is about to fall off. If it really does fall off from the implant, what should I do next? Many thanks for your advice. I truly appreciate it!
Ask the dentist who placed. Some will re tighten it some will take it off.
I recently had a crown placed on my implant. The dentist had a real hard time removing the implantmeant cover to place my crown. The cover was removed by the same dentist to make the molding about a month earlier without incident.
Less than three months later the crown and what looks like maybe the whole implant or part of the implant fell out.
I don’t know what to do. I am very upset.
Go see the dentist. May be a big deal, may not be. Good luck.
I had my 1st attempt at an implant. I got the 1st part done, the screw into the jawbone (whatever that’s called). I went back to continue getting the rest done but was told it was loose and we couldn’t go forward. Then after some time we did it again. A few month’s later another screw was installed. I was in pain for a week after using Tylenol and Advil constantly. Only a couple of weeks later the screw slowly dropped out of my bone, into my hand! It fell out! Do I try this again? Is the Dr doing something wrong or is my body not made for an implant?
That is not common but is possible. Get another opinion.
OK sounds good. The Dr said he couldn’t figure out why this happened, was surprised, and would not do another any differently, but that sometimes a location won’t accept an implant while other locations in the same mouth will. Hmmm