Although today’s dental implants boast an impressive 95 percent success rate even ten years after placement, that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. In fact, without proper care, your prosthetics can still fail, even if they’ve worked well for decades. Here’s how you can protect your beautifully restored smile and give your dental implants the best odds for success!
How to Get the Most of Your Dental Implants
While the great news is that less than five percent of dental implants will fail, it’s still essential to do your part to protect them. Here are a few tips to keep them safe and healthy for a lifetime of smiles!
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day
- Don’t use your teeth or dental implants to chew anything but food
- If you grind your teeth or play sports have a custom mouthguard made
- Never use tobacco products of any kind
- Visit your dentist twice a year for your regular preventive check-ups and cleanings.
Also note that it’s very important to follow the surgical aftercare instructions from your dentist as closely as possible to ensure that your mouth heals safely.
Common Causes of Dental Implant Failure
Although there are many reasons why dental implants can fail, most often it’s due to one of two reasons: peri-implantitis or failed osseointegration. Peri-implantitis is a gum condition that is a lot like periodontal disease and is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. It can occur at any point during the life of the implant, even decades after placement.
Failed osseointegration happens when the dental implant is new and does not fuse properly with the jawbone during the healing process.
Other causes include injury to your implant site, infection, or even complications such as radiation from treatment for certain medical conditions.
Warning Signs of Dental Implant Failure
Although it’s rare, it is still very important to know the warning signs of dental implant failure advance. These may include:
- Loose implants.
- Receding gums around the implant.
- Sensitivity, pain, or discomfort around the implant.
- Pain or difficulty chewing.
- Redness or swelling around the implant.
Should you notice any of these symptoms please contact your dentist as soon as possible, as the sooner you get treatment, the higher the odds of saving your dental implant.
Remember, even though dental implants have a high success rate, they still do have a chance of failing if you don’t take proper care of them. The good news is that with a little effort, your newly restored smile could last for a lifetime!
About Dr. Parsons
Dr. David C. Parsons earned his undergraduate degree at Kansas State University and his dental doctorate at Baylor (Texas A&M) School of Dentistry and has continued to pursue his dental education in a variety of topics ranging from oral surgery to prosthodontics to dental implants, just to name a few. He is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association, and on staff at the William Newton Memorial Hospital. To schedule a consultation for dental implants, visit our website or call us today at 620-221-0730.