An implant that served you well for years can still develop problems. From Old Milton, you can have an older implant reviewed close to home, learn what has changed, and weigh repair, removal or another route calmly.
Some implants are placed and then quietly forgotten for a decade or more. So when one begins to ache, feel loose or bleed, it can be a surprise. Over time a crown can wear, a screw can loosen, gum tissue can become inflamed, or the bone holding the implant can recede. Each of these is handled differently.
Taking out an implant and putting in a new one is considered only once the examination shows that keeping it would not be sensible. Removal and replacement are still weighed one at a time. Why it failed, what bone and gum are left, the planned tooth on top and your own wishes decide what makes sense.
For many people in Old Milton, the dentist who placed the implant has since moved or retired. That is fine. We can start with whatever you have, including old invoices, X-rays or just the approximate year, examine the area, and explain what we see. If a specialist's view would help, we will tell you, and you will hear the alternatives before agreeing to anything.
Share whatever you remember about when the implant and its tooth were placed, and what feels different now. Even partial records can fill in gaps.
That feeling can come from the crown itself, the piece joining it to the implant, or the implant's anchorage. Try not to push on it to see which. Phone us and say whether the change was sudden, followed a fall or a hard bite, or developed gradually.
Inflamed tissue around an implant should be examined even when the tooth feels perfectly firm. Let us know what happens when you clean there, whether it feels sore, and if anything drains from the gum. The visit shows the state of the soft tissue and bone.
Not every problem hurts. A dentist may raise a concern after comparing images over the years. Ask to see the change, and if you have older X-rays, bring them. Understanding what moved and by how much helps you follow why treatment is being suggested.
A worn or loose crown is not proof that the implant beneath it has failed. The part responsible has to be pinned down before replacement is discussed.
A thorough assessment sets out to answer whether the implant can be kept in good health or whether taking it out is the wiser course. If another implant is proposed, the plan has to account for what went wrong the first time. A new implant does not wipe the slate clean on its own.
Then there is daily life during treatment. Before the first step, talk over how the space will look, what you can chew, and whether you will wear a removable tooth for a time. Seeing the whole journey, including the temporary stage and the finished result, helps you decide if a second implant is right.
Patient information: ITI — assessing implant complications and removal
Ask whether the trouble lies with the gum and bone, the mechanical parts, the implant's angle or placement, or several of these. Medical terms are optional. What matters is that you understand the reasoning behind the recommendation.
Years of change can alter the bone around an implant. Ask whether a graft or extra healing time might be needed and how that shapes the schedule. The condition of the site is central to the plan, not an afterthought.
Set the replacement pathway beside the realistic alternatives. Factor in upkeep, temporary teeth, fees and the possibility of changes once more is known. A fuller picture leads to a decision you can stand behind.
Your care may involve a specialist as well as our team, spread across several visits. Ask who leads each stage and at what points the plan will be reviewed.
We consider your symptoms, the crown, gum health, how firm the implant is and suitable imaging. Any details about the original implant are useful. Tell us about new medications or conditions, smoking, grinding, past treatment in the area and how easy it is to clean.
Could repairing a part or treating the gum and bone be enough? We discuss that first. If removal is advised, you will hear the reasoning and the other options. Complex cases may benefit from a referral for specialist assessment.
Should removal go ahead, the procedure, its risks, aftercare and any graft or healing interval are explained in advance. Another implant may be placed later when the site allows, but immediate replacement is never taken for granted. The temporary tooth is agreed beforehand.
A replacement implant and its tooth have their own evaluation and follow-up. Healing may prompt changes to the plan. Ask when you can use the tooth for normal chewing and how regular maintenance will be scheduled.
What you are asked to do after an assessment differs from advice after removal, grafting or a new implant. Keep each written sheet and the contact number for whoever is treating you at the moment.
Until it has been examined, chew elsewhere and leave the implant tooth untouched. Do not try to twist, tighten or remove anything. If a crown or part has already come off, keep it in a small container and bring it along.
Once a procedure is done, follow the guidance on cleaning, food and any temporary appliance. An existing denture may not be safe to wear over the area, so check first. Tell us if the instructions are hard to fit into your routine.
These visits let us check the gum, the components and the new tooth as it comes together. If movement, drainage or soreness appears in between, call rather than waiting. Mention any cleaning struggles so the plan stays realistic.
Patient information: Cambridge University Hospitals — implant care and complications
Feel free to request the diagnosis and the planned order of treatment in writing, particularly if another clinician will share your care.
Arrange a review at our Bronte Street practice, close to Milton's historic downtown. Bring any records you can find, along with your questions, and we will discuss the problem, further assessment and your choices.
Please phone for a moving implant, strong pain or swelling. Online booking is meant for non-urgent requests.
