Have you recently had your missing teeth replaced with dental implants? These permanent prosthetics are a great alternative to traditional bridges and dentures because of their longevity, functionality, and natural aesthetics. But have you thought about how to avoid dental implant failure? Although rare, it can happen. A periodontist is here to share four things you can do to minimize your risk and keep your new smile in place for a lifetime.
What Can Cause Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implant failure can occur for many reasons. Although the success rate of initial placement is 95%, there is a small chance that problems can occur. While some are out of your control, others are preventable.
The most common reason dental implants fail is peri-implantitis. This is similar to gum disease and can cause your prosthetics to loosen and even fall out. If you neglect your oral hygiene habits, you put yourself at risk of bad oral bacteria spreading beneath the gumline and attacking the tissues surrounding your implant posts.
Other equally damaging reasons dental implants can fail are incorrect placement, a weakened immune system caused by smoking or an autoimmune disease, or failed osseointegration.
How Can You Minimize Your Risk of Failed Dental Implants?
Fortunately, your dental implants can remain firmly in place if you commit to taking proper care of your new smile. While you may not be in control of how and where your implants are placed, you can take extra precautions to do your research in choosing the right implant dentist.
To further minimize your risk, a few additional things you can do include:
- Maintaining optimal oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly. This includes cleaning your teeth after every meal.
- Giving up bad habits like smoking that can cause osseointegration to fail. Anything that weakens the immune system should cease or be closely monitored by a physician.
- Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods will ensure that sugars and starches do not negatively impact your smile and cause gum disease or tooth decay to form.
- Wearing a mouthguard to protect against facial trauma that is commonly associated with dental implant failure.
With these helpful tips, you can move forward knowing that your dental implants will remain firmly in place. You can then go on to enjoy a longer-lasting smile that improves your quality of life.
About the Practice
At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C., we are specialists in periodontal care. Not only can our team recommend viable treatment options to replace missing teeth, but they can give you back your appearance and confidence with the help of dental implants. With the help of advanced technology and equipment, they can produce life-changing outcomes that will leave you with a fully functional smile. Contact us at (508) 753-5444 to request an appointment if you are suffering from tooth loss and want to learn more about dental implants.
