Dental implants are one of the most popular ways to replace missing teeth. Thanks to the implant structure, you effectively get a permanent way to restore the full function and look of your smile because implants will look exactly like natural teeth.
But if you’ve gotten a dental implant recently, you may have noticed something rather strange:
Your natural teeth seem to have shifted.
But did they really? Find out the answer below!
Dental Implants Don’t Cause Tooth-Shifting
For starters, no, you are not going crazy. It is perfectly normal to feel a bit “different” after you get your dental implant. But the chances of your teeth shifting, as a result, are extremely low.
In most cases, patients simply think their teeth have shifted.
If you’ve had a missing tooth for a while, the surrounding teeth have actually changed position a bit to try and compensate for the hole, as a way to restore your bite. It’s why a dental implant will feel “out of place” right when you get it since the surrounding teeth are closer together.
The implant puts pressure on the surrounding teeth, which makes them resume their original position. After a few days, your teeth will get used to the new implant, and it will feel like it was part of your mouth the entire time.
Can Dental Implants Cause Real Tooth-Shifting?
It’s very rare, but dental implants can cause tooth shifting if you are dealing with implant failure.
For example, implant failure can be caused by peri-implantitis, a type of infection that affects the tissue around the implant. This infection can spread to the surrounding teeth, affect the root’s integrity, and lead to shifting.
Implant failure is a very serious complication that presents with many other symptoms, such as high levels of pain and discomfort. Pain after a dental implant usually wears off a few days after surgery.
If you experience prolonged discomfort, reach out to your Ruston dentist right away.
How to Avoid Complications After a Dental Implant
Healing after a dental implant takes around 6 months. For the most part, you will need to maintain good oral care to make sure healing runs smoothly, though there are some minor changes you’ll have to make for the first few weeks after surgery:
- Eat soft foods and chew on the other side of the mouth
- Stop smoking
- Don’t take part in very strenuous physical activities
- Don’t brush directly over the implant site
- Call the dentist right away if you notice any worrying signs
Interested in Dental Implants? We Can Help
If you have missing teeth and are wondering if dental implants are right for you, Dr. Patrick Stuckey is the best person to help you find out.
Book a consultation by calling (318) 255-8648 to get started!
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