Question: What does it mean if the crown on my implant is loose?
Explanation: A loose implant crown usually means the screw holding it has loosened, rather than the implant itself failing. This is a common and generally manageable problem. The crown moves or rotates slightly. Left untreated, the screw can fracture inside the implant, which is far harder to resolve. Screw loosening often results from an excessive or unbalanced bite, grinding, or an inadequately torqued screw. A dentist removes the crown, inspects the screw and internal connection, and retightens or replaces the screw to the correct torque value.
Related Questions:
Is a loose implant crown the same as a failing implant?
No, and the distinction is critical. A loose crown or abutment screw is a restorative problem with a good outlook. A mobile implant, where the fixture itself moves within bone, means osseointegration has failed and the implant must be removed. Only a dentist can differentiate them.
Why do implant screws keep loosening?
Because the bite forces exceed what the screw joint can resist, or the screw was never tightened to its specified torque. Grinding, a high contact on the crown, or a poorly fitting connection all contribute. Repeated loosening warrants reviewing the occlusion, not just retightening.
What happens if the screw breaks inside the implant?
It must be retrieved with specialised instruments, which is delicate and sometimes damages the internal threads. If retrieval fails, the implant may be unusable. This is precisely why a loose crown should be addressed before the screw fatigues and fractures.
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