Are you experiencing dental implant sensitivity? If so, you may be wondering why! Of course, the dental implant is an artificial tooth root, so why does it feel like a real toothache? The good news is that this problem can be solved, however it all starts with a call to your dentist’s office. The sooner you recognize an issue, the better. But what exactly is causing your sensitivity and what can your dentist do to help? Read on to get your answers.
What’s Causing Your Sensitivity?
It’s important to understand that pinpointing your implant sensitivity is incredibly difficult, which is why there is no substitute for help from a professional. That said, you may be experiencing discomfort due to one of these common reasons:
- Surrounding teeth: While it may seem like it’s your implant, you could have sensitivity in an adjacent tooth because it’s decayed or infected.
- Nearby gum tissue: Are your gums inflamed? Maybe they’re red? You could have gum disease, which can lead to implant failure.
- Implant site: If you’ve recently received dental implants, you may experience some discomfort or soreness in the implant site itself. In some cases, the implant may be placed too close to surrounding teeth, which causes sensitivity.
Why Should You Address the Problem Immediately?
Unlike other medical conditions that get better with time, your implant sensitivity will usually only get worse. This slight discomfort is typically the first warning sign that something is wrong, which is why you should contact your dentist as soon as you notice sensitivity. While dental implants have a success rate of 95% even after 10 years, failure is still possible. If your dentist is able to catch the issue early on, it will often cost you much less time and money to fix your smile.
What Are Your Treatment Options?
No two cases are the same, which is why a timely visit to your implant dentist is vital. After examining your oral health and previous medical history, your dentist will provide a recommendation based on your specific situation. This may include treating decay in surrounding teeth, providing gum disease therapy for infection, or even addressing the implant itself. It’s possible for a failing implant to be saved if you can visit your dentist sooner rather than later. However, an entire replacement may be necessary in some cases.
Don’t let a little sensitivity turn into a big problem! If you notice that something just doesn’t seem right, contact your dentist right away to treat the cause and protect your smile.
