Can My Teeth Shift After Getting Dental Implants? What You Should Know

If you’ve recently received a dental implant in Portland, you may be wondering what you can expect as you heal and recover. For example, is it possible for your teeth to shift after you get implants? Is this normal, or should you call your dentist? Find out now in this blog from Five Pines Dental.

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Teeth Shifting After An Implant Is Rare – But It Can Happen

You may feel like your teeth are shifting or moving after you get a dental implant, especially if the nearby teeth feel tender or painful. But this is not usually the case. Instead, the nearby teeth are getting used to the presence of your new false tooth. It may place a little bit of pressure on them and cause discomfort, but neither the implant nor your other teeth will actually move.

If your implant or your other teeth are actually moving, this is a serious and rare complication. It can be caused by a few different things, such as an allergic reaction or an infection of the implant (peri-implantitis), and you should g et help from a dentist right away.

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Recognizing The Signs Of Implant Failure

If your teeth are shifting, this may be a sign of implant failure. Around 5% of implants fail, and most of these fail shortly after being surgically placed into your mouth. If you think

• Prolonged pain and discomfort – After your surgery, you will feel some pain and discomfort for a few days, but your implant site should feel pretty much normal after about a week. If you continue to experience serious pain, this could be a sign of implant failure.
  
  
• Gum swelling and inflammation – Implant failure can cause gum swelling and inflammation near your implant site. This could indicate an infection, allergic reaction, or another complication.
  
  
• Implant shifting – Even before it’s fully healed, the implant should not be able to move at all. If you can feel or see your implant moving and shifting, you need to call your dentist right away.

When Should I Call My Dentist? After You Notice Any Of The Above Signs! 

If you notice one or more of the signs of implant failure, you need to see a dentist right away. Whether or not your implant is failing, symptoms like pain, teeth or implant shifting, and gum swelling and inflammation are serious, and demand immediate diagnosis and treatment. If you need help in Portland, contact Five Pines Dental today for an emergency consultation with Dr. Zeller. You can call us at (503) 482-2160, and we’ll do our best to see you ASAP.

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Our Tips For Minimizing Post-Implant Complications

• Follow your recovery instructions to the letter – After your implant surgery, your dentist will give you a set of recovery instructions discussing diet, oral hygiene, how long it will take to heal, and everything else you need to know. Follow these instructions closely to minimize your risk of complications.
  
  
• Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products – Smoking and tobacco use are the largest contributing factor to implant failure. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products (snus, chewing tobacco, etc) during the treatment process. This is a perfect time to consider quitting permanently!
  
  
• Work with an experienced implant dentist – Dr. Richard Zeller (Dr. Z) has years of experience with dental implants. He will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that minimizes your risk of complications as you heal and recover. 

Interested In Dental Implants In Downtown Portland? Contact Us Today! 

At Five Pines Dental, Dr. Z can help you replace your missing teeth permanently and smile proudly once again. If you’re interested in dental implants in Portland, we’re always here to help, and we’re always accepting new patients. Contact us online or give us a call at (503) 482-2160 to get started today.