Dental implants have the potential to last for a lifetime, but in some cases they can break or be damaged due to injury or infection. The 
dental team at Ruland Family Dentistry in Annapolis, MD, specializes in implant restoration. This restorative treatment can extend the life of your implant and strengthen your entire smile.
Implant Problems
A dental implant is firmly lodged deep into the bone of your jaw, yet it is still vulnerable to breaking, bending, or becoming dislodged. The most common culprit is an injury to the head or mouth. Patients who clench their teeth too tightly as a matter of habit can also cause damage to the implant. Experiencing a case of gum disease, which affects the strength and density of the bone tissue, could also cause the implant to come loose.
What to Do
A broken implant is usually considered a dental emergency, requiring treatment as soon as possible. If an implant breaks, save whatever material comes loose and call an implant restoration dentist at Ruland Family Dentistry in Annapolis for an urgent visit. When you eat, use the side of the mouth that isn’t affected.
Implant Restoration and Replacement
Implant restoration normally refers to the process of adding a crown to a dental implant after it heals, but it also includes fixing other parts of the dental device when it breaks. You might have to agree to a new surgical procedure to have your dental implant completely restored depending on the problem. Your dentist may perform one or more of the following actions:
- Removal and replacement of the entire device (including crown).
- Replacing the abutment piece, which is most vulnerable to breaking or bending.
- Creating and attaching a new crown.
- Bone grafting if there is loss of tissue and reinsertion of an implant.
See Your Dentist Urgently
If you have a broken dental implant, time is of the essence. Call (410) 268-5800 for assistance from a dentist at Ruland Family Dentistry in Annapolis, MD. Follow the advice provided, and schedule an urgent appointment with Drs. Louis, John, or Michael Ruland.