A click when you chew, or an implant tooth that suddenly lands differently, can come from the crown, the gum, the bone, or a combination. For anyone travelling from Burlington, our team checks each layer, reads the records you have, and explains whether repair, cleaning, or specialist care should come next.
You bite into a sandwich and something feels off: a faint click, a slight give, a tooth that suddenly seems taller than its neighbours. With an implant, that sensation could start in several places. The crown or the small connecting piece might have loosened, or the gum and bone around the implant could be the source. Peri-implantitis refers to inflammation there alongside progressive loss of supporting bone.
Because those causes can overlap, the dentist checks the restoration and the tissue together. That means looking at the gum, taking implant-appropriate measurements, testing the components carefully, and reviewing X-rays. Images taken in earlier years are particularly valuable, since they let the clinician see whether bone levels have shifted.
Coming from Burlington, try to bring what you know about the implant: roughly when it was placed, where the crown was made, and when the new feeling began. Paperwork from the placing clinic is a bonus. If it can't be found, mention that on the phone, and the team will discuss how to proceed without assuming the cause before anyone has looked.
Describe the spot, when the change began, and whether you have adjusted how you chew or clean. An implant can feel comfortable and still need a look, and a new sensation on biting may come from the restoration as well as the gum and bone.
Note whether bleeding shows up with brushing and flossing or without any trigger, and whether it is happening more. Mention any bad taste or soreness, too. During the exam, inflammation and support are assessed separately, so one bleeding spot is never taken as proof of a particular disease.
Point out if more of the crown or implant has come into view, food gathers in a new place, or your usual floss or brush won't reach. The team can look at access with you. Please avoid using pins, knives or other household items on the surface, and don't force a brush underneath.
Tell the dentist about any looseness, a clicking noise, or a different contact with the teeth that meet it. A loose crown or abutment and an implant moving in bone are separate problems with separate solutions. Try not to keep pushing on it; the clinician needs to find exactly what is moving.
Reach out soon about a loose implant crown, swelling that is getting bigger, any discharge, or severe pain. Swelling that spreads rapidly, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or feeling seriously ill means seeking emergency medical care rather than waiting for a dental visit.
The visit should leave you with a plain summary of what is known and what is still being worked out. Ask whether the problem lies with the gum, the bone, the crown and its parts, or several at once. Each answer leads somewhere different: tightening or replacing a component, improving cleaning, or treating established peri-implantitis.
Knowing who handles the next step is just as important. Records from the placing clinic, the design of the restoration, and the type of treatment needed may make it sensible to involve the original team or a specialist. Ask who will be in touch and what you should do in the meantime.
Patient information: SDCEP — examination of peri-implant tissues and baseline records
Probing depths and other tissue signs are interpreted together. Healthy implants can show quite a range of readings, so one figure on its own is not a diagnosis. Ask how this exam lines up with previous information and what the combined findings suggest.
Earlier images can serve as a reference, and new ones are taken when they add something. Ask what the dentist is checking and whether older films are clear enough. If no baseline exists, ask what today's images can tell you and what follow-up will involve.
Ask what the next step is designed to achieve and how its effect will be measured. Treating an implant with bone loss can be demanding, and keeping it is never guaranteed. The plan should explain why further treatment or referral is suggested, without promising one cleaning or product will solve it.
If another clinic placed your implant or you don't know its details, that's fine. The assessment starts with what you can tell us and identifies which records or specialist input might help.
Share how long you've had the implant, any earlier issues, how often it has been professionally maintained, and what you've noticed lately. Bring the placing clinic's details or documents if available. Changes in your health and any difficulty cleaning help the dentist interpret the findings.
The dentist looks for inflammation, assesses access for cleaning, and examines the crown and its connection, with measurements and images as appropriate. Mention whether the findings match the sensation you've had. If something moves, ask which part and whether it needs prompt restorative or specialist care.
You'll discuss whether the evidence points to gum inflammation, bone-support change, a mechanical issue, or a mix. Ask which conclusions are firm and which need more information. A responsible assessment won't label every implant complaint as peri-implantitis.
Confirm the immediate plan, who will provide any further treatment, and when progress will be checked. Ask what to do if the sensation or swelling changes before then. If two teams are involved, clarify how records and recommendations will be shared.
Advice will depend on what was found and any treatment you received. Ask for cleaning guidance specific to your restoration rather than a general technique designed for another kind of implant.
Ask for a demonstration of cleaning around the implant and beneath any reachable part of the restoration. Mention the areas you can't reach. Never scrape at deposits with sharp items or try to tighten a loose piece; these need professional assessment and proper instruments.
Report new swelling, drainage, pain, or movement, and note whether bleeding is improving or worsening. Avoid pressing on the gum or rocking the crown to test it. A few dated notes about symptoms help at review without aggravating the area.
If another provider is involved, make sure the appointment is booked and the records have been sent. Ask who will review the response to initial care. Fewer symptoms don't necessarily mean the bone question is answered or that a specialist visit can be skipped.
Bring implant records and earlier X-rays if you have them, but don't let missing paperwork delay a call. The assessment can determine what information is needed and whether anyone else should be involved.
Our number is (905) 876-4488. Ring Milton Dental Clinic to arrange an assessment of your implant, its crown and the tissue around it. Let the team know about any looseness, clicking, bleeding or pain so they can advise how soon you should come in.
Diagnosis, the complexity of treatment, any referral, and the implant's prognosis depend on individual findings. An assessment does not guarantee implant retention or that a particular surgical treatment will be available.
