Do My Implant Restorations Need to Be Replaced? Signs to Look For
Dental implants are titanium posts that are placed in the jawbone, acting much like an artificial tooth root. Dental restorations are attached to the implant to restore dental function and improve aesthetics.
Dental implants are a fairly permanent solution to replacing missing teeth. Although the implant posts can last a lifetime, it’s normal for dental restorations to need replacement at some point.
At Staten Island Aesthetic & Implant Dentist, Dr. Alex Hecht and Dr. Jason Hecht offer dental implant restoration replacement to Staten Island, NY, patients. To find out if you need your restoration replaced, we welcome you to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, we’d like to take a moment to consider the signs it’s time to replace a dental implant restoration.
What Are Dental Implant Restorations?
Dental implant restorations are prosthetic teeth that are attached to the dental implant or implants. There are different types of restorations to replace one or multiple teeth for our Staten Island patients. Restorations include:
- Dental crowns to replace individual teeth
- Dental bridges to replace several missing teeth
- Implant-supported dentures to replace a full arch of teeth
Signs Restorations Need to Be Replaced
Dental implants themselves are intended to last a lifetime but dental restorations may need to be replaced at some point. While well-maintained restorations can last 10 years or more, restorations may need to be replaced sooner if they become damaged or no longer function properly.
Dental crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures may need to be replaced if they show any of the following signs.
Chipped or Cracked Restoration
Although the dental restorations are durable, they can become damaged in the event of an accident or improper care. For example, chewing on hard items (like pen caps) or falling can lead to breaking or chipping a dental crown, dental bridge, or a fake tooth in an implant-supported denture.
Loose Dental Crown
If a dental crown restoration becomes loose or falls off it should be treated as soon as possible. It’s important to have loose crowns checked by a dentist to make sure it’s actually the crown that’s loose and not the implant itself, which can become loose as a result of infection or bone loss.
A crown may become loose or fall out due to an injury, jaw clenching, or teeth grinding. Replacing a loose or missing crown can help prevent bite problems and restore dental function.
Restorations Show Significant Wear
The longer dental implant restorations are in place, the more likely they are to show the signs of wear. Dental crowns, bridges, or implant-supported dentures can also wear down faster as a result of teeth grinding or regularly eating hard foods, like crunching on ice.
When restorations become worn down, they can make eating difficult which in turn can cause jaw pain and should be replaced to avoid any negative effects.
Schedule an Appointment
If your dental implant restoration is showing signs of wear or damage, it may need to be replaced. Our Staten Island dentists can examine your dental restoration to determine the best treatment option for your needs. Schedule an appointment to learn more.
