If you have missing teeth, getting implants may be high on your list. This is for good reason. Missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw, as well as affect your appearance and ability to chew. Although partial dentures can solve two of those issues, they can't help with bone loss like dental implants can. Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants, though. If you want to increase your chances of a successful implant procedure, make sure you avoid the following mistakes.
#1: Using tobacco products
Smoking, chew, and other tobacco products can be a major contributing factor to a failed dental implant. This is because tobacco use leads to reduced blood circulation, particularly in the mouth. With less circulation, it takes longer for your bones and gums to heal from the surgery as well as makes infection more likely, which can lead to a failed implant. If you want to increase your odds of success, quit using tobacco products before your surgery. The more lead time the better so your circulation can improve and your mouth can heal. Then, refrain from picking the habit up again at least until the implants have completely healed, but preferably for good if you want to avoid all chances of a future nicotine-caused implant failure.
#2: Poor hygiene
Implants and crowns are immune to cavities and decay, but they aren't immune to tartar and plaque buildup. When plaque and tartar builds up, it traps bacteria against the gums. Pockets form in the gum line around the implant posts, which then allow the bacteria to infect the jawbone. This leads to bone loss and can eventually cause an implant to loosen and fail. Get in the habit of practicing good hygiene in the weeks and months leading up to your implant procedure. You will need to have your remaining teeth cleaned and your gums may need to heal before you can have the implants placed. Once placed, keep up with both daily hygiene and regular dental cleanings to ensure plaque doesn't build up and cause problems.
#3: Ignoring other health concerns
Any health condition or medication that affects your immune system, healing response, or circulation can affect how well you recover from implants. For example, diabetes often leads to reduced circulation and slow healing, which can affect the success of your implant surgery. If you have any condition that could compromise your implants, you need to alert your implant dentist so they can collaborate with your doctor. Your implants will have a better chance at success if you can properly manage your other health condition before having the procedure, so this should take top priority in the weeks leading up to implant surgery.
For more help, contact an implant dentist in your area.
Share28 July 2017
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.