Many people consider dental implants to be the gold standard of replacement teeth because of their unique strength and stability. Unlike dentures and bridges, they’re embedded in your jaw and eventually fuse with the bone to become a more permanent part of your smile.
Plus, they’re made from durable, biocompatible materials that resist corrosion, discoloration, and other types of damage. But that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. If your dental implant feels sensitive and you’re unsure why, read on to learn about 3 potential causes!
Cause #1: Overcrowding
When it comes to dental discomfort, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint exactly where it originated. Not only that, but your restoration doesn’t contain nerves like your natural teeth, so it cannot transmit pain signals to your brain the same way.
That means a perceived ache in your implant might be caused by neighboring teeth. Your oral surgeon will carefully place it for an optimal outcome, but sometimes, it’s still possible for the nearby roots in your jaw to react to its presence. If the support rod is putting too much pressure on one of your other pearly whites, you might mistake this for sensitivity in your implant.
Cause #2: Gum Disease
Would you be surprised to learn that a pervasive form of gum disease, peri-implantitis, is the leading cause of implant failure? If bacteria in your mouth penetrate the surgical site, they can infect the surrounding gum and bone tissues, which can cause irritation and inflammation. If left untreated, this condition erodes the materials anchoring your restoration in place and destabilizes it.
You might also experience tenderness if excessive dental cement inflames your gums after your dental crown is anchored to your implant.
Cause #3: Nerve Damage
This treatment is the only one that involves surgically placing a titanium rod in your jawbone, which involves careful planning and placement for your oral surgeon. Sometimes, despite their best efforts, this support presses against one of the nerves in your jawbone, which can also cause discomfort. This is especially true for prosthetics placed in your lower arch, which can trigger the inferior alveolar nerve to cause swelling and aches.
Most oral issues don’t resolve themselves and only worsen over time. That means it’s a good idea to contact your dentist to let them know about sensitivity in your implant as soon as you notice an issue. They can schedule an appropriate time to see you, and at your exam, they may need to take X-rays or other scans to identify the underlying cause.
Then, they can recommend a potential treatment plan based on their findings!
About the Practice
Patients at Kemper Meadow benefit from two compassionate dentists eager to help them build beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Maric and Dr. Kulwin collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including dental implants. They partner with the best local experts for surgical placement, then provide lifelike restorations made from customizable, tooth-colored materials to rebuild your smile seamlessly. If your dental implant hurts and you need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (513) 648-9900.