Dental implants are fast becoming the preferred method of tooth replacement. A permanent solution to tooth loss, implants are a surgical procedure in which small, titanium rods are placed into your jawbone.
The implants fuse with the bone, providing a strong, stable support for single teeth, sections or even an entire arch of teeth.
Implants offer numerous benefits over traditional crowns, bridges and dentures. For the most part, implants are a successful procedure. However, there are some instances in which they might fail.
Smoking
Smoking is bad for your health in general, but if you are healing from surgery, it can be especially detrimental. This is because smoking slows the healing process. It restricts blood flow, which carries oxygen and other nutrients crucial for healing.
The chemicals in cigarettes can contaminate sensitive surgical sites and even cause dry socket, a condition in which the clots become dislodged, leaving an open space for food and bacteria to get stuck. Quitting smoking is the best possible solution if you want dental implants, but if you are unwilling to quit altogether, you must be willing to quit at least or the duration of your healing process.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Getting implants involves surgery, which means that there will be a healing period. Healing from implants can take several months. During this period, it is essential that you practice good oral hygiene.
Use medicated mouthwashes as prescribed. If you have any remaining healthy teeth, continue to brush and floss them as normal. If you don't keep your mouth clean, you run the risk of bacteria getting into the surgical sites, which can then cause an infection.
And, once your false teeth are placed, you must continue to practice good oral hygiene. Just because false teeth can't experience tooth decay, they can still collect plaque and the bacteria responsible for gum disease.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition in which you clench and grind your teeth. It is harmful to your natural teeth, causing excessive wear, jaw pain and can even cause your teeth to become loose.
Bruxism can be detrimental to implants, interfering with healing and constantly damaging crowns. If you suffer from bruxism, you will either need to treat the cause or consider another option.
Implants are one of the best solutions for tooth loss, and have a 95% success rate. In order to ensure that your implants are successful, open communication with your dentist is a must. Contact our office today to learn more!