Looseness when you bite
A shifting feeling might come from the crown, the connector or the implant itself. Rather than testing it, call us. Mention whether the change was abrupt, linked to an impact, or has been building gradually.

Worried about a visible gap while a failing implant is sorted out? For people coming from Brampton, we plan the temporary tooth alongside the diagnosis, so you know how you will look and eat at every stage.
For many people, the hardest part of a failing implant is not the diagnosis but picturing the weeks after it. Will there be a space when you smile at work? Can you still eat dinner with the family? Those are fair questions, and they come after a more basic one: what exactly has gone wrong?
A crown that has worked loose, a damaged screw or abutment, gum inflammation and lost bone support are distinct problems. Only when the findings show that the implant should not stay does replacement come up, and even then taking it out and putting in another are decided separately. Cause, remaining tissue, the future tooth and your preferences guide that.
When you come in from Brampton, we start with an examination, suitable imaging and any records you have. You hear what we found, whether a specialist would add useful insight, and what each route would mean for appearance and chewing along the way. Decisions wait until you have that full picture.

Approximate dates for the implant surgery and crown, plus what has changed, give us a starting point. Old X-rays or notes are a bonus.
A shifting feeling might come from the crown, the connector or the implant itself. Rather than testing it, call us. Mention whether the change was abrupt, linked to an impact, or has been building gradually.
Even a firm implant needs attention if the gum around it changes. Tell us what you notice while cleaning and whether there is pain, swelling or discharge. Examination reveals the state of the gum and the bone below.
Sometimes a dentist mentions bone loss or another concern you had not felt at all. Ask what was seen and how it compares with past images. Knowing what changed makes it much easier to understand the advice you received.
Problems with the visible tooth do not decide the fate of the implant underneath. That part needs to be identified on its own.
Careful assessment determines whether the implant can be maintained or whether removal is the more appropriate step. If another implant is considered, the plan has to tackle what contributed to the original trouble. Starting over with new hardware does not, by itself, remove those risks.
This is also where the temporary tooth gets planned. Before treatment, talk about how the space will look, which foods will be manageable and whether you will wear a removable tooth or another short-term option. Knowing the interim stage, any extra steps and the finished tooth helps you judge whether another implant fits your life.
Patient information: ITI — assessing implant complications and removal
Ask whether the problem is biological, mechanical, related to position, or a mix. The vocabulary is optional. Understanding which part is affected, and the evidence behind that, is not.
Bone and gum quality influence how and when a replacement can happen. Ask if a graft or healing interval is likely and how it affects timing. The site is a core part of the plan.
Put the full replacement route next to the alternatives, including temporary teeth, maintenance, costs and the possibility that things change after further assessment. That makes the decision a well-informed one.
Some cases involve a specialist and several appointments. Ask who looks after each part and when the plan will be revisited as healing progresses.
We look at symptoms, the crown, gum health, stability and relevant images, along with any details from the original treatment. Tell us about medical changes, smoking, grinding, earlier treatment in the area and how well you can clean around it.
Repair of a component or treatment of the gum and bone may be enough, and we consider that first. If removal is recommended, you should understand why and what else is possible. Complex cases may be referred for specialist assessment.
Should removal proceed, the procedure, its risks and aftercare are explained, along with any graft or healing stage. Your interim tooth is agreed before the day. A new implant may come later, but immediate placement is not assumed.
A new implant and its crown have their own checks and follow-up, and healing can change the plan. Ask when you can chew normally and how maintenance will be scheduled once everything is finished.
Advice after an assessment, a removal, a graft and a new implant all differ. Keep the written versions and the contact number for the clinician treating you at that point.
Until we have seen it, chew elsewhere and avoid fiddling with the tooth. Do not try to tighten or take anything off. If a piece has already come loose, bring it to the appointment in a small container.
Follow the instructions for cleaning, eating and wearing any temporary appliance. Check with us before putting an older denture over the area. If something does not work with your schedule, let us know so the advice can be adapted.
Reviews track healing, the components and the developing tooth. Report fresh movement, discharge or increasing soreness without waiting for your next visit, and raise any cleaning difficulty.
Patient information: Cambridge University Hospitals — implant care and complications
You can ask for the diagnosis and the planned sequence in writing, which helps if more than one office is involved.
Book a review at our Bronte Street practice. We will explain what has happened to the implant, what more needs checking, and how the site and a temporary tooth would be managed. Records and questions are welcome.
If the implant is moving, or you have severe pain or swelling, please call. Online requests are for non-urgent concerns only.