Dental implants are highly effective restorative dental tools that a dentist can use to replace one, several, or an entire arch of missing teeth. You can see secure and reliable benefits from these tooth replacement solutions which may last twenty years or longer.
To ensure you qualify for this treatment, a dentist will evaluate your oral health, including your gums and jawbone. If you suffered too much damage to these areas, you might not have enough stability to support the implant. In this case, a dentist will not proceed with this treatment.
Rarely, an implant in an eligible patient can become extremely painful, fit loosely, or become infected. These are designated a failure of the device and qualify as dental emergencies requiring urgent removal by your dentist.
You will need to take proper care of your oral health to prevent this complication. Read on to learn tips for how to preserve your new dental implants and avoid the failure of these oral appliances.
Signs Your Implant Might Be Failing
While rare, implant failure can happen. If your implant feels loose or causes pain when chewing, it could mean it hasn’t fused properly with your jawbone. Swollen, red, or bleeding gums around the implant might indicate an infection.
A strange taste in your mouth or bad breath that won’t go away could also signal a problem. If you notice any of these issues, see your dentist right away. Early treatment can often save an implant before it fails completely.
How to Prevent Dental Implant Failure
Follow Your Dentist’s Aftercare Guidelines
Implant dentistry involves a multi-step process to fully replace missing teeth. After each step, you will need to adhere to your dentist’s instructions regarding aftercare so that you can heal properly. Otherwise, the implant might not take, and you can experience failure of the appliance.
First, you attend a consultation where a dentist evaluates your oral health to determine your eligibility for this tooth replacement treatment. Then the initial step of the treatment is oral surgery to insert the anchor of the implant into the jaw.
You will have surgical sites that need several months to heal. And during this time, the anchor fuses with the jawbone to ultimately support prosthetic teeth. You return to your dentist after this healing period to receive those dental prosthetics and complete the process.
To keep these sites safe during your recovery, you will need to take proper care of them. Use careful movements when you practice oral hygiene. You must stick to this regimen, but follow your dentist’s advice when it comes to the best way to do so without interfering with your healing.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Once you receive your dental implants, the fixtures can remain in your smile for 20 years or longer. But you can maximize the length of the benefits of this treatment when you take care of your smile and dental work.
This will entail good oral hygiene habits like brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing on a daily basis. You should also visit your dentist for routine teeth cleanings. You do not have to do extra maintenance beyond your usual regimen to care for your implants.
Implants will not stain or decay, but your surrounding teeth and gums can sustain damage from plaque that will accrue on your fixtures. So make sure you keep up with these good habits. Bacteria from gum disease, for instance, can eat away at your gums and jawbone to cause an implant to fail.
Understanding the Causes of Dental Implant Failure
Dental implants have a high success rate, but they can fail if certain problems arise. One major cause is infection, which can happen if bacteria get into the surgical site during or after the procedure.
Another issue is poor bone integration. If the jawbone doesn’t fuse properly with the implant, it won’t stay secure. Smoking and health conditions like diabetes can also slow healing and increase the risk of failure. By understanding these risks, you can take steps to prevent them and keep your implants strong for years to come.
Foods to Avoid After Implant Surgery
Your mouth needs time to heal right after getting dental implants. Eating the wrong foods too soon can irritate the surgical site or even damage the implant. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soup for the first few days.
Avoid crunchy, sticky, or hard foods like chips, nuts, and chewy candy that could disturb the implant. Hot and spicy foods might also cause discomfort while your gums are healing. As you recover, your dentist will let you know when it’s safe to return to your normal diet.
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
Even though dental implants can’t get cavities, they still need professional care to last. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to check that your implants are secure and your gums are healthy. They’ll clean around the implants to remove plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach.
If any problems start developing, like gum inflammation or bone loss, your dentist can catch them early before they lead to implant failure. Keeping up with these checkups ensures your implants stay in great shape for decades.
How Smoking Affects Dental Implants
Smoking is one of the biggest threats to dental implant success. It slows down healing by reducing blood flow to the gums, making it harder for the implant to bond with your jawbone. Smokers also have a higher risk of infections and gum disease, which can weaken the support around an implant.
If you’re considering implants, quitting smoking before your surgery can greatly improve your chances of success. Even cutting back can help. Your dentist can offer tips to reduce smoking during the healing process.
Long-Term Care for Lasting Results
Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, but they need proper care to stay strong. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily keeps your gums healthy and prevents infections. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste protects the implant’s surface.
If you grind your teeth at night, a custom mouthguard can prevent excess pressure on your implants. With good habits and regular dental visits, your implants can stay secure and functional for so many years.