Dental implants continue to gain popularity as an ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their many unique advantages. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they include a titanium rod that’s surgically embedded into your jaw to give them more strength and stability.
As a result, they have an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Certain habits and conditions can contribute to dental implant failure. Continue reading to learn 3 tips to avoid potential problems!
Tip #1: Clean Your Mouth Consistently
Would you be surprised to learn that a progressive form of gum disease called peri-implantitis is the number one leading cause of implant failure? If bacteria in your mouth penetrate the surgical site, they can erode the connective and bone tissues holding your new tooth in place, destabilizing it within your jawbone.
Thankfully, it’s also preventable if you implement a twice-daily dental hygiene routine. You should carefully brush all your teeth, including your restoration, both morning and night to eradicate unwanted germs, leftover food, plaque, and other debris. This should be followed by flossing, taking care not to press too deeply into the pocket of the gums around your implant, which can damage its seal.
Tip #2: Protect Your Teeth
Poor oral hygiene isn’t the only way you might harm your new tooth; teeth grinding, or bruxism, is also problematic. Many people clench their arches together, either when they’re asleep at night or subconsciously during the day, as a response to anxiety, stress, or other factors. Not only can this result in a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder that contributes to a sore, stiff, or locked jaw, but it can also injure your restoration.
All the added force from biting down can crack or chip the crown of your implant or put undue strain on the metal pole holding it in place. This can cause neck, jaw, head, and toothaches, and could eventually contribute to implant failure if it goes unaddressed. Fortunately, your dentist can provide a custom-fitted nightguard to shield your smile.
Tip #3: Don’t Smoke
Cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products contain nicotine, which, in addition to being addictive, can also hurt your health. It’s a vasoconstrictor, meaning it limits your blood oxygen levels and flow, rendering your body unable to send essential nutrients and infection-fighting cells to your mouth. This can increase your vulnerability to gum disease, like peri-implantitis.
You might think you can get away with quitting long enough for your new tooth to heal and then resume your smoking habit, but studies show that it can cause implant failure even 10 years after their successful placement.
Your dentist will provide specific post-op instructions for you to follow to recover as quickly as possible without developing adverse effects that can contribute to a damaged dental implant!
About the Practice
At Soleil Dental Mesquite, you benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping families in Mesquite build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Vazquez and Dr. Aldana provide a full menu of services to people of all ages at one convenient location, so you and your family receive the same top-quality care. Plus, they take the time to get to know you, so they can quickly devise customized solutions to meet your unique needs. They have the advanced training and technology to provide each step of the implant process, including oral surgery, in the office to streamline your experience. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (972) 288-3200.