Professional Dental Implant Repair: What To Do If The Screw Access Hole Filling Falls Out
There’s a moment of annoyance every dental implant patient dreads: you’re going about your day when your tongue finds a new, rough, or sharp spot on your implant bridge. Often, this means the filling in the screw access hole has fallen out. As Dr. Caleb Stott, one of the owners at Smile Now Dentures and Implants, explains, this is more than a minor inconvenience—it can cause a sore tongue and a feeling that something has broken.
If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. This is a common question from patients, whether their implants are from Smile Now or another practice. In this guide, we’ll explain the purpose of these holes, what happens when the filling comes out, why you should never try to fix it yourself, and what the professional dental implant repair process looks like.
Understanding the Screw Access Hole in Your Dental Implant
That small hole in your implant bridge is there by design. It’s called a screw channel or a dental implant access hole. Whether you have a single implant-supported crown or a full All-on-X bridge, your new teeth are secured to the underlying implants with tiny screws. The access hole is the channel that allows the dentist to place and tighten these screws.
Once the tooth or bridge is securely in place, this hole is sealed. This creates a smooth, continuous surface and protects the components underneath. Think of it as a planned access point that is sealed for everyday use but allows a dentist to get back to the screw if maintenance is ever needed in the future.
Why Is the Dental Implant Access Hole Filled?
Sealing the screw access hole is a small but critical part of the dental implant procedure. At Smile Now, we typically use a durable, tooth-colored material called a flowable composite to fill the opening. We then polish it so it’s perfectly smooth and blends seamlessly with the rest of the tooth.
There are several important reasons for filling this hole:
- To Maintain Cleanliness: An open hole can easily trap food particles and plaque, which can lead to bad smells and potential hygiene issues.
- To Protect the Screw: The filling acts as a protective barrier over the head of the screw, ensuring it can’t loosen and that nothing can get to it that shouldn’t. A loose implant screw is a more complex problem to fix.
- To Ensure a Smooth Surface: Your tongue is incredibly sensitive and will fixate on any rough or uneven texture. A properly sealed and polished access hole prevents irritation and keeps your tongue from getting sore.
What Happens If the Dental Implant Access Hole Filling Came Out?
It can be frustrating when you notice your dental implant access hole filling came out. This can happen for a few reasons. The composite material can loosen or wear down over time, especially if you chew on a lot of hard or sticky foods. In other cases, the filling might not have been thick enough when it was first placed, making it more likely to pop out.
When this occurs, you are left with an open hole that feels rough to your tongue, traps food, and can even affect your bite. While it’s not usually a dental emergency, it’s something that needs to be addressed promptly by a professional to avoid bigger problems.
The Dangers of DIY Repair: What Not to Do
When the filling comes out, it might be tempting to try a quick fix at home. You might think of using dental wax, temporary filling material from a drugstore, cotton, or even super glue. Please do not try any of these methods. Attempting a DIY repair dental implant can cause significant damage.
Here’s why you should always see a dentist:
- Risk of Damaging the Screw:
If you push foreign material down into the access hole, you could damage the head of the implant screw. This could make it impossible for a dentist to tighten or remove the crown later, turning a simple fix into a costly and complicated procedure. - Trapping Bacteria:
Non-dental materials are not sterile and can trap bacteria deep inside the screw channel. This can lead to bad smells and, in worse cases, infection around the implant. - Preventing a Proper Bond:
If you use materials like wax or glue, they can leave a residue that prevents the new composite filling from bonding correctly. This means the new filling is likely to fall out again.
Ultimately, trying to fix it yourself will almost certainly make it harder and more expensive for your dentist to perform the proper repair.
The Professional Solution for Dental Implant Repair
At Smile Now Dentures and Implants, addressing a lost filling is a quick, easy, and inexpensive fix. We handle these situations all the time, even for patients who received their implants at other clinics. Our professional dental implant repair process is straightforward and effective.
- Clean the Area: We start by thoroughly cleaning out the screw access hole to remove any food or debris.
- Check the Screw: Next, we inspect the implant screw itself to make sure it is still tight and secure. If there is a loose implant screw, we will tighten it to the correct specification.
- Refill the Hole: We then refill the access hole with a specialized dental composite, ensuring it has the proper thickness for maximum durability.
- Polish the Surface: Finally, we smooth and polish the new filling so it matches your bite perfectly and feels completely unnoticeable to your tongue.
The entire appointment usually takes just a few minutes, and you’ll leave with your restoration feeling brand new—just like the day you received it.
How to Prevent This From Happening Again
While restorations are built to last, they require care. To help prevent the filling from coming out in the future, we recommend sticking to regular follow-up appointments. During these checkups, we can verify that the screws remain tight and that the fillings are intact. If you feel anything is off or uneven with your bite, let us know. Making small adjustments early can prevent bigger issues later.
Your Smile Deserves the Best Care
Your dental implants are a significant investment in your health and confidence. If your implant screw hole is exposed or your restoration just feels off, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact a Smile Now office near you right away. A quick and simple checkup can ensure your smile remains smooth, secure, and problem-free. Schedule your free consultation with us today!