Although dental implants are designed to last years, they can become damaged. Fortunately, your Tom's River, NJ, dentist, Dr. Todd Manela of Washington Street Family Dentistry, offers implant restoration services that will help you protect your dental implants.

Implant damage causes

Your new tooth is made up of three parts:

• The Dental Implant: This titanium post serves as the root of your tooth and bonds to your jawbone.
• Crown: Your crown replaces the top part of your tooth visible above your gum.
• Abutment: The abutment is a screw that connects the implant to the crown.

Damage can affect any of these parts, although problems with crowns and abutments happen more often than issues with implants. Wear and tear or grinding your teeth while you sleep can cause the abutment or crown to break or loosen. Grinding is also one of the reasons that an implant can loosen, in addition to infections and too much pressure placed on the implant before it fully bonds to your jawbone.

A chip in your crown or a broken or loose abutment could also occur if you eat hard foods, chew ice, or use your teeth to open packages.

If you notice damage to your implant or your crown or implant feels loose, call the dental office as soon as possible. While you wait to see the dentist, don't chew on the affected side of your mouth.

How broken implants are restored

Implant restoration depends on the type of damage. Your visit to the Toms River, NJ, dental office will include an examination and X-rays of your implant. If a problem with a crown or abutment is the issue, these parts may need to be replaced. Crowns don't last forever and usually need to be replaced after 10 or 15 years or longer.

If your implant is broken or no longer attached to your jawbone, it will need to be replaced. You may also need bone grafts to build up the jawbone that supports the implant. It takes several months for new bone to form around the graft. Once this happens, you can receive a new dental implant.

A nightguard can help you avoid future damage if you grind or clench your teeth at night. Your custom mouthguard is made from an impression of your mouth and fits over your teeth while you sleep.

Do you have a damaged or loose dental implant or crown? It's time to pay a visit to your Toms River, NJ, dentist, Dr. Manela to discuss implant restoration. Call (732) 349-0006 to schedule an appointment with Washington Street Family Dentistry.