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Has my implant failed or is it just the abutment?

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2013

I had 3 implants right in a row done 3 years ago. The last implant has what I call a hanging tooth which is attached to one of the implanted crowns. The other day it became very loose after I ate on it. I went back to the surgeon and the xray does not show the implant failing or any type of infection. He put me on an antibiotic/anti inflamatory medicine. It has been 3 weeks and nothing. the teeth move back and forth. The problem is that there is no red gums no sign of infection and no pain at all. He is guessing that I should take out the implant which I do not want to do. How can my surgeon tell if it is the implant or the abutment? I cannot see taking it out because he cannot figure out what is happening. Any ideas? What else could it be besides the implant failure? Thank you.

4 Comments on Has my implant failed or is it just the abutment?

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Joell C

3/21/2013

If theres no inflamation and the implant is still integrated, then its most likely a broken screw. Contact your general dentist, relay as much info about the implant brand that u have, and have the retaining screw that holds the abutment in replaced.

Gregori Kurtzman, DDS, MA

3/21/2013

Mobility is either related to the crown/abutment being loose or the implant itself being loose in the bone. To evaluate this the crown/bridge needs to be removed and each of the implants evaluated for mobility. If one of the implants is loose it needs to be removed as it has failed.

R W

3/22/2013

I am not sure I understand. Are there four teeth on three implants or three teeth on two implants? are all the teeth joined together or is the last implant supporting the extra tooth on its own? If it is the latter the crown would have fallen off if the abutment screw had broken. If the cement seal had failed the crown would likely fall out or be easy to pull out. If the implant had failed the implant would either pull out or be very tender. The abutment screw might have come loose allowint the abutment/crown to wobble. Take the crown off or drill through it and retighten the abutment screw.

S. HARVEY KARPINOS DDS,FI

3/23/2013

I agree with RW. from your description I suspect a loose screw. Cut the crown off and check the screw

healing abutments common come had two implants does the positioning looks ok