One of the greatest benefits of dental implants is their durability. Crucially, they have changed the way tooth loss is viewed. Conventional procedures for replacing lost teeth such as bridges can usually be expected to last for around ten years while dentures last longer but will need regular adjusting. By contrast, a dental implant should last for life if it is properly cared for.
What Care Does a Dental Implant Need?
Here are a few tips to help you protect your dental implant(s):
- Make regular visits to your dentist for check-ups and to have your teeth professionally cleaned.
- Make sure your dental hygiene routine is good. This means flossing and brushing on a daily basis.
- Rinse your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This will help remove any damaging bacteria.
Reasons Why a Dental Implant Might Fail
- The implant may fail to integrate. This means the surrounding jawbone may not grow and integrate with the threads of the implant, a process known as osseointegration.
- An infection could set in. Although this does not happen very often, it is a known complication with dental implants. The bone and gum surrounding the implant can develop an infection known as peri-implantitis. There are different reasons why an infection may set in. For example, the surgical processes may be at fault or the patient's healing power may be poor e.g. they are taking medication for osteoporosis, they have diabetes, or they smoke. The most usual time for an infection to occur is during the surgical procedure but peri-implantitis can manifest itself as a secondary infection at a later stage. The implant will fail if any infection is not identified and treated quickly.
- The tissues surrounding the implant can become damaged. The skill and experience of the surgeon or implant dentist have a significant bearing on whether any complications related to surgical error occur when the procedure is being undertaken. Error can affect the sinus, nerves, or nearby teeth. A competent implant dentist will take CT scans and x-rays before the procedure to identify any possible problems and set out a careful plan for the surgery. Nonetheless, complications can arise during any surgical procedure no matter how skilled the surgeon. The important thing to remember is that an experienced dentist will be able to address any complications that arise during or after surgery.
Dental implants can be a complicated work of dentistry needing the skill of a well-experienced implant dentist who is a specialist in his or her field. Therefore, you should choose your implant dentist carefully in order to ensure the best results possible. Once the procedure is complete, your dental implants should last for life provided they are properly cared for. For more information, contact a clinic such as Greeley Dental Health.