My Teeth Shifted After I Got Dental Implants. What Do I Do?

So you finally got a dental implant, and your smile is now perfect. Except after you got your dental crown, you could swear your teeth have shifted.

What should you do next? Do dental implants even cause tooth shifting?

Check out this short blog post to understand what’s going on: 

No, Your Teeth Aren’t Shifting. You Just Feel Like They Are

Once your implant surgery's healing is done and you’re ready to get your dental crown, one of the first things you’ll experience right after is tightness.

Though the crown is made to measure, meaning it fits your size and shape perfectly, it’s natural to feel this tightness. Your surrounding teeth have gotten used to the empty space, so when the artificial tooth is added, you will feel it like a foreign body.

The great news is that this feeling doesn’t last long. Most patients get used to their new implant by the next day when it starts feeling like a normal part of the mouth.

But this relief doesn’t mean your teeth have moved.

When Tooth Shifting Can Actually Happen

Tooth shifting after a dental implant is rare, but it can happen. A sign that something more serious is going on is if you experience tightness or pain a few days after getting your dental crown. In such cases, you should see Dr. Robert Miller for a consultation or second opinion.

Most commonly, this scenario happens because of implant failure. Dentists usually screen a patient thoroughly to clear them for dental implants, which is why the procedure has such a low risk of failure. But overlooked conditions might affect implant healing.

A common complication that leads to implant failure is peri-implantitis. It’s an infection that can spread to the gums and surrounding teeth and weaken them. This can also lead to tooth shifting.

Can Implant Failure Be Avoided?

Apart from screening, patients can also decrease the risk of implant failure through proper post-implant care.

Some things you can do include:

• Continue to brush your teeth and floss daily.
• Keep the implant site clean, but don’t brush directly over it.
• Chew on the other side of the mouth.
• Eat softer foods in the first few days.
• Avoid sugar and hard foods.
• Drink lots of water, especially after meals, to cleanse the mouth.
• Don’t exercise for 2–3 days after your surgery, and start with lighter workouts when you go back to the gym.
• Stop smoking, etc.

Getting Dental Implants at Sarasota Bay Dental

If you’re interested in dental implants or have already gotten one and need a second opinion due to a complication, Dr. Robert Miller can help.

Access expert and compassionate implant services at Sarasota Bay Dental by scheduling a visit online.

Have more questions about dental implants or our other services? We encourage you to call us at (941) 200-3723 for a short chat.