4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Implant Failure

Dental implants have become the go-to procedure for replacing teeth because of their abilities to prevent bone loss, restore chewing and speaking, and improve cosmetic appearance and, last but not least, because of their durability. In addition to their exceptional performance, implants boast a success rate of about 95 percent, meaning with the proper care, you can count on them to work almost always! Still, sometimes the restoration doesn’t always take, whether it’s because of an issue with placement, poor oral hygiene, or the jawbone doesn’t grow around the implant to secure it. In this post, you’ll find ways to help you not become a part of the tiny minority whose dental implants fail!

Tip #1: Practice Exceptional Home Care

Doing your part with a strong oral hygiene routine at home is one of the best things you can do to protect your investment in your dental health. A typical healthy regimen includes:

• Brushing for two minutes twice a day, generally in the morning and before bed. Consider an electric toothbrush if you don’t have one; it can keep track of how long you’ve been brushing and do the work for you. Dental practices typically report less plaque buildup from patients who use this type of device.
• Flossing once a day.
• Using an antibacterial mouthwash to reach germs that brushing and flossing can’t.

Keeping your teeth clean and strong will greatly reduce your chances of a gum infection, which is often the downfall of dental implants.

Tip #2: Kick Your Bad Habits

Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco can contribute to gum disease (periodontitis). Periodontitis gradually destroys the bone supporting your teeth, which can jeopardize the health of your dental implant right from the start as it needs a strong jawbone to integrate with to stabilize the restoration. Not only that, but smoking can increase the risk of infection years later, another factor in dental implant failure.

Tip #3: See Your Dentist Regularly

Be sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings. Not only will this kind of preventive care help your implants stay healthy, but your dentist will be able to spot any issues that may be creeping up that could prove problematic down the road. They’ll also be able to perform X-rays and confirm if your implant is integrating with the jawbone.

Tip #4: Wear a Nightguard If You Grind Your Teeth

Some people have a condition known as bruxism in which they grind or clench their teeth in their sleep. The wear and tear that grinding causes can be detrimental to your implants because of the undue strain it puts on them. It’s understandable that bruxism can be hard to detect since you’re asleep, but if you wake up with jaw pain or a headache in the morning, it’s often a tell-tale sign that you’re a grinder. If this is the case, contact your dentist to see if they recommend wearing a nightguard. This oral appliance fits comfortably over your teeth and guards them from the damage that grinding causes.

Tip #4: See Your Dentist Regularly

Be sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings. Not only will this kind of preventive care help your implants stay healthy, but your dentist will be able to spot any issues that may be creeping up that could prove problematic down the road. They’ll also be able to perform X-rays and confirm if your implant is integrating with the jawbone.

Dental implants are a wonderful investment in your oral health – not only do they promote healthy bone and restore function, but they can give you your confidence back with a beautiful new smile. Use these tips to keep them healthy so you can enjoy that boost in self-esteem for years to come!

About the Author

Dr. Shandy Condie is a graduate of the Creighton School of Dentistry and has also trained at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. For twenty years, Dr. Condie has served the Gilbert community at Desert Springs Dental. If you’re interested in dental implants or just need a routine appointment to take care of them, our team can help! Give us a call at (480) 780-9080 or go to our website to schedule your next visit.