A fully restored dental implant may look and feel like a natural tooth, but it’s not exactly the same. It doesn’t contain any nerves, so it isn’t capable of sensing hot or cold temperatures. As such, if it suddenly seems like your dental implant has become sensitive, you’re likely to be very confused about what’s going on. Below is a closer look at what an apparently sensitive dental implant actually means and what you should do about it.
How Can a Dental Implant Be Sensitive?
Quite simply, it cannot. It’s often difficult to pinpoint exactly where sensitivity is coming from inside your mouth. Thus, while it may seem like your dental implant is sensitive, the true source of the sensation lies elsewhere – possibly in your gums or in your nearby teeth.
What Can Cause Dental Implants to Seem Sensitive?
A supposedly sensitive dental implant can have a number of causes:
- An infection may have developed around the implant post. This can cause sensitivity as well as inflammation of the gum tissue.
- Your dental implant may be placed too closely to your natural teeth, causing them to become more sensitive than normal.
- Food might be trapped between your dental implant and your natural teeth. This can end up irritating the gums, leading to sensitivity.
- The dental implant has begun to fail, meaning the bone around it has started degenerating.
- You are having an allergic reaction to the titanium used to make the implant post.
What Should You Do If Your Dental Implant Seems Sensitive?
The first thing you should do is schedule a consultation with your dentist. They can take a closer look at your implant post and the area around it in order to determine what the underlying cause is. The treatment they recommend will depend on the specifics of your circumstances.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Dental Implant Sensitivity?
There are several steps you can take to protect your dental implant and lower your risk for problems that can lead to sensitivity, such as:
- Eating plenty of foods that are high in calcium to promote a healthy jawbone.
- Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily.
- Using an antibacterial mouthwash to fight the harmful organisms that can cause gum infections.
- Visiting your dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.
Of course, even if you do everything right, problems could still occur. Be ready to call your dentist right away if you’ve started experiencing dental implant sensitivity.
About the Author
Dr. Mohammad Golparvar has over two decades of dental experience. He specialized in dental implants while attending a post-graduate program at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. He’s proud to be able to offer his patients start-to-finish dental implant procedures to rebuild their incomplete smiles. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Golparvar at Webster Dental Associates of Manchester, visit his website or call (603) 669-4252.