Sometimes the first sign is subtle: your back teeth no longer close the way they used to, or an implant crown feels tall after a night of clenching. For Burlington households, a call to our team is the place to start, before chewing on it or trying a fix.
Not every implant problem announces itself with pain. A crown can begin to feel high, a gap can open where food suddenly catches, or the teeth on one side can meet a little earlier than the other. Those small signals can come from a crown that has loosened, a screw or abutment that has worked free, gum that has become inflamed, or a strain from grinding. Each points to different care, and an examination is the way to find out which applies.
It speeds things up to know what you have in your mouth. A lone crown on one post, a bridge spanning several implants, and a removable denture that locks onto implants each behave differently when something gives. Describe the change in your own words: a click, a tilt, tenderness, swelling or a bite that feels wrong. Brand names are not needed, but placement paperwork is useful if you still have it.
Get in touch soon after the change and ask when an assessment can be booked. Coming from Burlington with an implant that another office placed or restored? Let us know and bring copies of what you have. We will deal with the pressing concern and talk about whether the first provider or a specialist should take part.
Where you feel it, when it began, and whether it is getting worse are the details we listen for. A snapshot can be handy for the record, but it says nothing reliable about the post or the bone that holds it.
Note whether the shift came on overnight, after biting something firm, or gradually. Resist pressing it with a finger or clenching to see if it drops back. Only an examination can show whether the restoration, the connection, or the implant is responsible.
Think back to when the gum first felt different and whether a bad taste or discharge appeared. The tissue that wraps around an implant can become inflamed, and that may affect its foundation. We judge that by examining the gum and, where needed, taking images, rather than by the crown’s appearance.
Keep a piece that has fallen out in a clean, closed container and bring it to the appointment. Tell us about any knock, fall or recent dental treatment. Pushing it back, turning a screw or using a household adhesive can complicate the repair.
Cavities are not a risk for the implant itself. Disease in the gum and bone around it, and wear or loosening in the parts attached to it, can still happen at any stage, so a fresh symptom should not be brushed aside.
Coming in early means the team can identify what has to be addressed today and what depends on information not yet in hand. It is fair to ask whether the area can be steadied or soothed during the visit, and whether a lasting repair hinges on records, a specific part, lab work or a referral. Each of those deserves its own clear answer.
Once the cause is pinned down, more than one sound approach may be on the table. The plan should take the implant, the crown, the gum and your other teeth into account, along with habits such as clenching. A fast adjustment that is never explained can leave you unsure why it happened or what to watch for.
Ask for the crown, abutment and implant to be described in simple terms, and which one is involved. That context makes the suggested treatment easier to weigh, and it prevents a loosened crown from being read as the end of the implant.
Information such as the system used, when it went in, earlier X-rays and lab details can help the treating clinician. Ask how these can be obtained with your consent. If you have none, mention that, but still call about a symptom that seems urgent.
Some repairs require matching parts, technical information or a specialist. Ask who will set up that step and what to do in the meantime. A clear plan for what comes next is worth more than a phone number on a card.
What can be finished at the first visit depends on the findings and on having the right components and expertise. It is wise not to expect every implant problem to be resolved in one sitting.
Describe the symptoms, when they started, and anything that may have triggered them, such as a knock or a recent procedure. Name the provider if you know it, and mention any piece that came off. Tell us about medical conditions and medicines so the visit can be planned properly.
The clinician examines the area, checks your bite, and considers whether images or older records are needed. Ask which findings explain your symptoms and whether anything is still unknown. Tissue health counts as much as how firmly the crown sits.
Go over what can sensibly be done at the visit and any limits. Ask about the recommended repair, alternatives and estimated fees. If a part needs to be identified or ordered, find out how to protect the area until then.
Before you head out, confirm who handles the next stage and how to reach them. Ask which symptoms should bring you back sooner. Keep copies of the records so future care starts with an accurate history.
Advice is different for a loose crown, an irritated gum, a healing component, or an implant-retained denture. Ask for guidance that reflects the actual finding, not a generic list.
Do not use tools, glue or repeated biting to hold the restoration in place. Follow the advice about chewing and about wearing any removable appliance. If it loosens again after treatment, call and describe it rather than trying to repeat the repair.
Store anything that came off in a clean container and do not put it back in your mouth. Bring it and any paperwork to the visit. Knowing when it separated can help explain the cause, even if that component cannot be used again.
Brushing and flossing still matter, though the technique may need to change for a while. Find out which brush or floss suits the treated tooth or a temporary setup, and tell us if soreness gets in the way. After the urgent part is settled, agree on a recall schedule and on who keeps an eye on the implant from here.
Patient information: Guy's and St Thomas' — swallowed or inhaled dental objects
An unexpected change after a long stretch of comfort can be unsettling. These answers help you prepare for the appointment without predicting the result before an examination.
A crown that has lifted, gum that has puffed up, or a part sitting in your palm are all reasons to ring our Bronte Street practice. We will go over timing and what paperwork helps. When care cannot wait and we are unreachable, turn to another emergency provider who is open.
Online requests are not for emergencies. Availability, component compatibility, referrals, fees and whether an implant can be kept all depend on assessment.
