Teeth Coming Away from Posts: A Common Problem?

Wendy asks:

I was given implants after a road accident 6 years ago, when I lost the 4 front upper teeth, and had broken facial bones and jaw(they were fitted by the hospital). I have two posts which the 4 teeth are then cemented to.

Unfortunately, the teeth keep coming away from the posts. It first happened last year, then again one month ago, and has happened again at the present time. It obviously causes me much anxiety when this happens, and I am losing faith in them. Is this a common problem, and is there any solution? I am feeling I would rather have false teeth on a plate than have this keep happening.

Answered by: Dr. Carlos Boudet

West Palm Beach, FL

Dear Wendy,

I assume that what you mean by "the teeth keep coming away from the posts", is that the gums are shrinking away from the posts and the teeth do not look good cosmetically.

There are many factors that influence the way the tissues are maintained around implants. Such a severe accident can result in moderate to severe bone loss from the trauma.

When you see a lot of bone loss and the resulting shrinkage of the gums after implants are placed, you have to resort to more extensive grafting procedures if you want the teeth to look as good as possible. Otherwise you may need to change the design of the "teeth" to include pink colored tissue so that the posts will not show and the teeth will not look excessively long.

You also need to visit the dentist regularly for maintenance cleanings and supervision to make sure that you have not allowed bacteria around your implants to cause the bone loss which could result in eventually losing your implants and implant supported teeth.

Talk to your dentist so he /she can advise you as to the options available in your particular case after obtaining the necessary records.

Thanks for asking and best of luck.

Carlos Boudet, DDS, DICOI
http://www.boudetdds.com