Getting dental implants is a common treatment for replacing missing teeth. Implants are metal posts surgically placed in the jawbone, which then fuse to the bone over time. A crown is placed on top of the implant, creating an artificial tooth that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
While dental implants have a high success rate and provide many benefits over other tooth replacement options, some patients wonder if getting an implant can affect their other natural teeth. There are a few ways an implant could potentially impact your other teeth that are worth considering before moving forward with treatment.
Ways an implant may affect other teeth
There are a few potential ways placing a dental implant could affect your other natural teeth:
Infection risk during healing
Any surgical procedure comes with a slight risk of infection while the surgical site is healing. With dental implant surgery, there is a very small chance an infection could develop in the jawbone around the implant site during the first few weeks after surgery.
If an infection occurred, it’s unlikely but possible it could spread to affect the bone around your natural tooth roots and cause problems like inflammation or bone loss. However, your dentist will give you antibiotics or other instructions to prevent infection after your procedure. Following all post-op care guidelines minimizes this risk.
Increased risk of cavities
There is a chance your other teeth may be at a slightly higher risk for developing cavities after getting a dental implant.
This is because the metal implant post conducts cold better than a natural tooth root would. You may notice increased sensitivity to cold around the implant and surrounding teeth. The cold sensitivity could make you more prone to avoiding brushing the area thoroughly.
Poor cleaning around the implant and neighboring teeth raises your cavity risk. Being diligent with your oral hygiene helps counteract this issue. Your dentist can also recommend products like high fluoride toothpaste to protect your other teeth if you notice sensitivity.
Shift in bite alignment
Getting an implant placed changes the alignment of your bite to some degree. As your bite comes together, the pressure distribution through your jaw shifts slightly.
This change in pressure can sometimes move your other teeth a little bit. Any bite alignment changes are usually minor. But in some cases, a more noticeable shift could occur.
If your other teeth move out of proper alignment due to your implant, your dentist can use solutions like orthodontics to guide your teeth back into place. Immediately alerting your dentist to any bite issues allows steps to be taken to prevent long-term problems.
Damage during surgery
It is extremely rare, but damage to a neighboring tooth could potentially occur during implant surgery if extreme care is not taken. Issues like:
- – A surgical drilling slip damaging an adjacent root surface
- – Tools dropping and chipping a nearby tooth
- – Unanticipated bone anatomy leading to problems with adjacent teeth
These types of surgical mishaps are uncommon when the procedure is performed by a skilled and experienced surgeon. Your dentist will take precautions like using surgical guides and proper technique to avoid any damage to other teeth.
Factors that influence the risk to other teeth
Some factors that can influence the likelihood and severity of an implant affecting your other teeth include:
Your oral health
Patients who have issues like periodontal disease, untreated decay, or teeth grinding (bruxism) have a higher chance of implant complications. Poor oral hygiene also increases your cavity and infection risk. Having good overall dental health decreases the chances of implant problems.
Location of the implant
Back implants toward the rear of the mouth have less impact on front teeth. Implants placed immediately next to natural teeth have more potential effects. The number of implants placed also plays a role. A single implant on one side will involve less change than multiple implants.
Your occlusion and bite force
A normal bite and occlusion (contact between upper and lower teeth) minimizes how much force transfers to other teeth around an implant. Abnormal bite patterns or dental work not properly adjusted increase force against your natural teeth and the chance of shifts.
Bone health and anatomy
Healthy, dense jawbone helps secure the implant and minimize pressure on nearby teeth. Compromised bone from conditions like osteoporosis may increase the risk of implant failure or complications. Anatomical variations like a thin jaw ridge or inadequate bone also make issues more likely.
Oral habits
Clenching, grinding, chewing on hard items, and other damaging oral habits increase force on implants and teeth. This can speed up changes in bite alignment and damage. Nightguards and habit correction help if you have any harmful oral habits.
Your dental professional’s skill
The experience and training of your implant surgeon has a significant impact on your risk of complications. Opt for a highly qualified implant dentist or oral surgeon to ensure the safest procedure possible.
Signs an implant is affecting your teeth
Be alert for any of the following signs that may indicate your implant is negatively impacting your other teeth:
- – New pain, sensitivity, or discomfort in your other teeth
- – Chipping, fractures, or cracks in your natural teeth
- – Loose teeth, changes in gaps between teeth, shifting bite
- – Bite alignment feels “off” or uncomfortable
- – Difficulty chewing, speech changes, muscle soreness
- – Changes in the fit of orthodontics like retainers or nightguards
- – Asymmetrical wear, chips, or scratches appearing on your teeth
- – Increased plaque buildup or signs of decay like white spots on teeth
- – Gum disease symptoms like red, swollen, receding, or bleeding gums
See your dentist right away if you notice any of these issues so steps can be taken to diagnose and treat the problem. Leaving alignment or decay issues unchecked can lead to permanent tooth damage or loss.
Ways to minimize the risk to other teeth
You can take these proactive steps to limit the chances of your implant negatively impacting your other teeth:
Practice excellent oral hygiene
Stringently brushing, flossing, and using antiseptic mouthwash keeps your mouth healthy and minimizes infection or decay risks related to implants. See your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and exams to detect issues early.
Wear a nightguard if needed
Ask your dentist about having a custom nightguard made if you grind your teeth. Wearing it at night prevents excessive force from damaging your teeth or shifting your bite.
Get orthodontic treatment
Braces or aligners can pre-align your teeth correctly before implant placement, which reduces bite change risks. They can also realign teeth that shift slightly after your procedure.
Avoid damaging oral habits
Chewing on pens, nails, ice, or other hard items can crack teeth and loosen implants. Clenching and grinding also leads to problems. Make a conscious effort to stop any habits that put excess strain on your teeth.
Adjust your diet
Eat a diet low in sugar and avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods. This minimizes cavity risks and fracture dangers to teeth around implants. Go slowly with any new foods and alert your dentist if you notice cracking or damage.
Get evaluated frequently
Follow your dentist’s recommendations for x-rays and exams around implants. Early detection of any issues makes problems easier to treat. Report any unusual symptoms right away.
Treatment for implant-related tooth issues
If your implant does end up affecting your other teeth, prompt treatment can often restore your smile:
Orthodontic alignment
Your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment like Invisalign or traditional braces to move shifted teeth back into proper alignment.
Bonding or crowns
For minor chips or cracks in teeth near implants, dental bonding or veneers can repair the damage. More significant damage may require a crown for reinforcement.
Nightguards and occlusal adjustment
Nightguards protect against grinding and clenching. Bite adjustment and occlusal balancing evens out your bite pressure. This prevents excessive force on some teeth.
Gum disease treatment
Options like scaling, root planing, or laser therapy can treat gum infection and inflammation caused by implants. This stabilizes gum health.
Root canals or extractions
Severely damaged teeth may require root canals or even extraction if other treatments cannot save them. Damaged teeth are at higher risk for fractures and deep decay.
Implant replacement or removal
If an implant shows signs of failure or cannot be stabilized without damaging neighboring teeth, your dentist may replace it or extract it altogether. This eliminates the source of the problem.
Are the risks worth it?
While implants do have a small chance of affecting your other teeth, patients can minimize risks with proper planning and care. The benefits of implants typically far outweigh the low chance of complications.
With excellent oral hygiene and follow-up with your dentist, implants can restore your smile for years without issue. Working closely with your dentist is key to making sure all your teeth stay healthy and properly aligned when getting implants.
The bottom line
It is unlikely, but possible for dental implants to negatively impact teeth next to or opposing the implant site. Issues like infection, bite changes, damage, and sensitivity may occur in some cases.
However, good oral health and working with an experienced dental professional minimizes risks. The benefits implants offer for chewing, speech, and confidence often make these small risks worthwhile for those missing teeth.
With conscientious dental habits and follow-up care, dental implants can be a positive life-changing treatment for tooth loss. Maintaining open communication with your dentist allows them to take all precautions necessary to ensure a smoothly integrated, successful implant.
