You might benefit from dental implants if you’re looking for permanent, reliable replacements for missing teeth. Many experts consider them the ideal way to restore your smile after tooth loss because of their unique placement in your jawbone.
This procedure also has an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%, though there’s no guarantee that you won’t experience implant failure. Continue reading to learn about 3 considerations that help determine whether or not your treatment will be successful!
Factor #1: Your Jawbone Density
Did you know that your jawbone thins after teeth fall out? Your roots stimulate new bone growth with every bite down, which typically keeps it active and healthy. When they go missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone structure within a single year.
Dental implants typically contain a titanium rod surgically placed in your jawbone and require three to six months to heal. This is because your mouth must produce enough new bone growth to fuse with the metal pole to stabilize it. If your jawbone is too thin, you’re less likely to complete this stage of recovery, which increases the chance of failure.
If your jawbone is too thin, don’t lose hope. In many cases, an additional bone graft procedure can be used to bulk it up enough to proceed with implants.
Factor #2: Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Your prosthetics aren’t made from the same organic materials as the ones you were born with, and they don’t develop decay. However, that doesn’t mean you no longer need to worry about your oral health. Your restorations, remaining teeth, gums, and jawbone can all be negatively impacted if you ignore your daily dental hygiene routine.
If bacteria in your mouth penetrate the surgical site, they can contribute to an infection or a pervasive form of gum disease called peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure. Fortunately, brushing and flossing twice daily keep unwanted germs and plaque at bay so you can heal effectively without developing complications.
Factor #3: Avoiding Unhealthy Habits
Certain habits, like smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol, can also harm your dental implants. Vapes, cigarettes, and other tobacco products contain nicotine, which suppresses your immune system, increasing the likelihood of developing disease or infection. It also reduces your blood flow and oxygen levels so your body can’t deliver essential nutrients to your teeth and gums during recovery. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages can dissolve the cement that anchors your restoration to your implant.
Your dentist will provide a list of post-op instructions to follow, and sticking to them closely is the best way to help ensure dental implant success!
About the Author
Dr. Tommy Murph has 25+ years of experience helping families build and maintain their most beautiful, healthy smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina and has since completed hundreds of hours of continuing educational courses, including on specialized topics like dental implants. He provides a comprehensive menu of services utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to meet all your needs under one roof and can place and restore your new teeth. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (843) 488-4357.