Dental Implant Restoration in San Jose, CA
If you are having difficulty with your dental implants, call (408) 226-5560 and schedule an appointment with our San Jose, CA dental office. It is critical that we examine your dental implant right away and that you do not try to self-diagnose the problem. This can lead to further irritation and dental challenges. During an examination, we can let you know if you need a dental implant restoration and the best way to proceed.
Dental Implant Restoration FAQs
How common are dental implant problems?
They are actually very rare. At Patient First Dental, one of the reasons that we recommend dental implants is their high success rate. Depending on the dentist you visit, the success rate can be as high as 99 percent.
If there is a problem, your dental implant can become loose or the crown (tooth portion) could crack or fall off. If a problem does occur, we will be able to repair the damage and efficiently fix the situation.
Why do dental implants become loose?
If your implant has become loose, it may be due to the fact that osseointegration never took place. Osseointegration is the process where the titanium implant fuses with the actual jawbone. The body deposits bone around the implant over the course of several months and secures the implant in the same way it secures the natural root of a tooth. If that process does not fully complete, your implant could become loose in the future. Additionally, the stability of your implant depends on your jawbone remaining dense and strong. If you develop gum disease or an infection that deteriorates your bone, the implant could become loose and fail. This makes it important to call our dental office if you notice any signs of gum disease which may include red, swollen and bleeding gums. Additionally, if you develop a toothache, visit our office for treatment right away. Doing so will prevent you from developing an infection that could negatively impact your jawbone.
What do I do if my dental implant has become loose?
Call us right away. The implant will not tighten on its own, nor will the problem correct itself. If you attempt to self-diagnose and treat, you can end up damaging your bone.
What does dental implant repair involve?
That depends on which portion of the implant we need to repair. If the actual tooth (dental crown) is cracked or damaged, we can replace it without needing to address the actual implant (titanium post). If your tooth falls out, bring it with you. Otherwise, we can examine it and let you know if we can repair the crack or chip without actually removing the crown. At Patient First Dental, we view this as the best-case scenario since it is the fastest way to restore your implant and the least invasive. If the crown needs replacement, the dental lab will create a new one for us to carefully attach to the abutment on your implant.
If your actual implant fails, then that is a whole new process that can take up to four steps. The first step is to carefully remove it, which may require surgery. Then depending on the condition of your jawbone, a bone graft may be necessary. If your implant became loose due to a lack of density, not correcting the problem will make it impossible to replace the implant. You will need to heal from this procedure before we can place a new implant; essentially starting the procedure all over again. If you face this scenario, we can discuss the various options that are available to you in further detail.
How do you treat a fractured dental implant?
If the tooth portion of your implant has fractured, we will examine you and let you know if we can restore it using bonding material. If we cannot, then we will have to replace the crown.
Can you replace a loose dental implant?
Yes, if the actual implant becomes loose, we will typically need to remove it. We will then need to clean the area and complete a bone graft if necessary. We can place a new implant after the healing process.
What will the replacement process be like?
It is likely that you will need to undergo surgery so we can remove your implants, clean the area and graft the jawbone. We will complete this procedure under anesthesia so that you do not feel anything during the actual treatment. However, your recovery period may feel very similar to when we first placed the implant. There will be some swelling, discomfort and soreness. To combat this, you can use an ice pack for fifteen minutes at a time, take ibuprofen and eat cool soft foods for several days. If you also went through a bone graft, then you will need to be careful not to apply pressure to the area. In some cases, your food restrictions may last slightly longer than before. During a follow-up examination, you will be given the green light to return to your normal dietary habits. One thing to keep in mind is that if you do need a bone graft, it is likely to take six to nine months for the graft to be complete so that you can have a new implant placed. At that point, the process will be identical to when you had an implant placed for the first time.
If one implant becomes loose or fails will my others do the same?
Probably not. Dental implants have a success rate of 99 percent. It is incredibly rare for a dental implant to fail so if one does, your others should be fine. The only difference is that if you had an injury that caused an implant to fail, you should have all of your teeth examined to make sure that none of the rest are damaged.
Do you handle all types of dental implant restorations?
We can conduct an initial examination, and identify what the problem is and how extensive it is. This will involve a physical examination along with X-rays so that we can determine the density of your jawbone. At that point, we will let you know if we can assist you or if you need to be referred to a San Jose specialist. At Patient First Dental, our focus is on your complete oral health and ensuring that you have access to the procedures you need. To learn more, call our dental office at (408) 226-5560.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implant Restoration
What are the warning signs that a dental implant might be failing?
Common warning signs include increasing looseness or movement of the crown or implant post, persistent gum swelling or redness around the site, and pain or discomfort when chewing. Receding gums that expose metal, along with bad breath or a lingering bad taste, can also indicate an infection called peri-implantitis around the implant. If you notice any of these changes, it’s best to have the implant evaluated promptly, since catching problems early usually means a simpler repair than waiting until the implant becomes loose or infected.
Is a loose or broken dental implant considered a dental emergency?
Yes, a loose or broken dental implant should be treated as a dental emergency and evaluated as soon as possible. Left alone, movement at the implant site can damage surrounding bone and gum tissue, turning a simple repair into a more involved procedure. If just the crown has broken off and the implant post feels stable, treatment is often more straightforward, but a dentist still needs to inspect the post before determining how urgent it is. Call the office right away and describe your symptoms so they can tell you how quickly you need to be seen.
Does dental insurance typically help cover implant restoration or repair?
Coverage varies significantly by plan, but many dental insurance policies provide at least partial coverage for implant repair when it’s needed to restore function rather than for purely cosmetic reasons. Some plans cover the crown portion but not the implant post, or vice versa, depending on how the original treatment was coded. Because policies differ so much, the most reliable way to know what’s covered is to have the dental office verify your specific benefits before treatment. Patient First Dental accepts a variety of insurance providers and can help you check what portion of the cost of an implant repair your plan may cover.
Can people with diabetes or osteoporosis safely have a dental implant restored?
In most cases, yes, people with well-controlled diabetes or osteoporosis can safely have a dental implant restored or repaired, though healing may take longer if blood sugar or bone density isn’t well managed. Poorly controlled diabetes can slow healing and raise infection risk, and certain osteoporosis medications called bisphosphonates have been linked to slower jawbone healing. Your dentist will typically ask about these conditions and any medications before treatment and may coordinate with your physician if needed. Sharing your full medical history helps ensure the safest, most successful outcome.
How soon can a dentist see me if my implant crown suddenly falls off?
Many dental offices try to see patients with a suddenly detached implant crown the same day or within a day or two, since leaving the post exposed too long can allow bacteria or debris to affect the site. Call the office as soon as it happens and explain that the crown has come off an implant, since this is often prioritized differently than a routine issue. In the meantime, keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side. If possible, save the crown and bring it with you, since it can sometimes be reattached without needing a new one.
Where can I find a dentist who repairs dental implants near San Jose, CA?
Look for a dentist near San Jose with specific training in implant restoration and reconstructive dentistry, such as Dr. Dennis Baik of Patient First Dental, who has advanced training in dental implants and serves San Jose and nearby communities, including Blossom Valley, South San Jose, Santa Teresa, Almaden Valley, Evergreen, and Los Gatos. When evaluating any implant dentist, ask about their specific experience repairing implants, not just placing them, since restoration often requires different skills. Checking reviews and confirming the office offers sedation options can also help if you’re anxious about treatment.
I just relocated to the San Jose area, can a local dentist take over restoration care for an implant placed by my previous dentist?
Yes, in most cases, a new dentist can take over care for an implant placed elsewhere, since implants use standardized components that most trained dentists can evaluate and treat. It helps to bring any records, x-rays, or paperwork from your previous dentist showing the implant system used, though treatment can usually proceed without them through an exam and new x-rays. This is especially common in a place like San Jose, given how often people relocate for work. Scheduling a consultation soon after your move helps establish care before any issues come up.