Dec 5, 2025
Loose or Painful Dental Implant? What to Do
By Dr. Raheel Thobhani, DMD
You invested in a dental implant because you wanted a permanent, worry-free solution. So, feeling that implant wiggle with your tongue or experiencing a sharp twinge of pain when you chew can be a moment of pure panic. Is it failing? Did your body reject it?
At Smyrna Dental Studio, we want you to know that while this is a serious situation, it is not always a catastrophe. There are different reasons an implant might feel loose, ranging from a simple loose screw to a more complex infection. This guide will help you understand what might be happening and, most importantly, what you need to do right now to protect your investment.
Scenario 1: The "Easy" Fix (A Loose Restoration)
Often, the implant post (the part fused to your bone) is perfectly healthy. The movement you feel is actually coming from the abutment (connector) or the crown (the tooth) loosening over time.
The Symptoms: You feel movement, but there is little to no pain. The gum tissue looks healthy (pink and firm).
The Fix: This is a mechanical issue. We simply access the small screw connecting the pieces, tighten it to the correct torque, or replace the screw. It is a quick, non-surgical appointment.
Scenario 2: The "Serious" Issue (A Loose Implant Post)
This is a medical emergency. If the titanium post itself is moving, it means the bond between the bone and the implant has been compromised.
The Symptoms: Pain when chewing or pressing on the gum. Red, swollen, or bleeding gums. A bad taste in your mouth. The movement feels deeper in the jaw.
The Cause: This is usually due to peri-implantitis, a bacterial infection that destroys the bone around the implant.
The Fix: This requires immediate intervention. We will take a 3D scan to assess bone loss. Treatment may involve deep cleaning, antibiotics, or regenerative surgery to save the implant.
Your Immediate Action Plan
Stop Touching It: Do not wiggle it with your tongue or fingers to "check" it. Every wiggle destroys microscopic bone attachments and makes the problem worse.
Soft Diet Only: Switch to a no-chew diet (yogurt, smoothies, soup) immediately. Do not chew on the affected side.
Keep it Clean: Rinse gently with warm salt water or an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria levels around the site.
Call Us: This cannot wait for your next cleaning. Contact us immediately.
FAQs: Loose Implant Questions
Can a loose implant tighten up on its own?
No. Unlike a natural tooth, which has ligaments that can sometimes tighten back up after trauma, a dental implant relies on direct bone fusion. Once that bone bond is broken, it cannot heal spontaneously. It requires professional intervention to either tighten the mechanical parts or treat the biological infection.
Is it painful to fix a loose implant?
The procedure to fix a loose crown is completely painless and often doesn't even require numbing. If the implant is failing and needs treatment or removal, we will use local anesthesia (and sedation if you wish) to ensure you are completely comfortable. You should not feel pain during the process.
What if the implant has to be removed?
If the bone loss is too severe to save the implant, we may need to remove it. This is not the end of the road! We typically remove the implant, place a bone graft to rebuild the foundation, let it heal, and then place a new implant in the future.
Is this considered a dental emergency?
Yes. A loose or painful implant is a priority emergency. Waiting even a few days can allow an infection to spread or cause a loose mechanical part to fracture, turning a simple repair into a complex surgery.
Don't Wait, Save Your Smile
Whether it's a simple loose screw or a developing infection, the key to saving your dental implant is speed. The sooner we can diagnose the issue, the higher the likelihood that we can repair it and keep your smile whole.
If your implant feels "off," loose, or painful, do not ignore it. Contact Smyrna Dental Studio immediately for an urgent evaluation.
