Dental implants have a stunning 98% success rate – which pretty much means what you think it means. 98% of the time, this treatment is successful; even after 10 years, your implants are 98% likely to still be going strong as a healthy tooth replacement.
But let’s say that you want to close that 2% gap. What should you do to give your dental implants the highest possible chance of success? This post has you covered! Keep reading for tips on how to promote a smooth dental implant treatment.
Prevent Peri-Implantitis
When dental implants do fail, one of the more common reasons is due to peri-implantitis – which is simply a fancy word for “gum disease.” In many cases, what makes peri-implantitis so dangerous is that the damage has extended past the gums and down into the jawbone. Both of these substances are vital for keeping your implant in place, and if they deteriorate, your tooth replacement could very well fall out.
Fortunately, peri-implantitis is preventable. Daily oral hygiene helps eliminate the bacteria that cause this oral condition, and your dentist can keep a watchful eye out for warning signs during your biannual checkups.
Check Your Jawbone Density
As already stated, your jawbone is really important for making sure your dental implants stay in place. Even if you don’t have peri-implantitis and have never experienced gum disease, it’s possible for your jawbone to be too thin to properly support dental implants.
This doesn’t mean you’d be out of luck – it just means you should visit your dentist for a thorough oral exam before proceeding with treatment. If they see that your jawbone density is poor, they can likely “bulk it up” with a bone graft.
Let Your Implants Settle
Last but certainly not least, a good way to promote successful dental implants is to rest after your treatment so they can properly integrate with your jawbone. Implants are made from biocompatible materials precisely for this purpose, and if you break your recovery by eating hard foods or exerting pressure on them, they could become loose. In severe cases, disrupting the integration process can even cause bone or nerve damage. Needless to say, following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is in your best interest!
Talk to Your Dentist
If you wanted to sum up all of these tips into one kernel of advice, it would be to talk with your dentist. Schedule a consultation with them before receiving a dental implant treatment, and they’ll gladly tell you everything you need to know about promoting their success. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns, which will help you feel more confident about the road ahead!
About the Author
Dr. David Thomas, your “friendly neighborhood dentist,” would be happy to meet with you to discuss the details of a dental implant treatment. To ensure his patients receive the best care possible for this complex restoration, Dr. Thomas partners with local oral surgeons who are specially trained to place implants for proper jawbone integration. Like you, he wants your treatment to go smoothly and be successful, so you can count on him to help you promote healthy dental implants! To contact Dr. Thomas’ office, call 206-244-4622.
