While dental implants are top-tier tooth replacements, remember that they aren't perfect. The posts can "fail" or stop working in some situations, putting your restored smile at risk. You should thus take the necessary steps to avoid dental implant failure; your grin could suffer otherwise. With that said, it isn't hard to learn about these protective actions in detail. Just keep reading to discover great ways to keep your dental implants safe, secure, and stable.
Context: What are Dental Implants?
Before you learn about dental implant failure (and how to prevent it), you must know the basics of implants. Anything less will leave you confused about how to proceed.
Dental implants are small, metal posts that substitute for missing tooth roots. Once placed in your jaw's empty sockets (by a qualified dentist), they fuse with nearby bone tissue to become permanent parts of your mouth. That means they act as replacement teeth that don't slip or fall like a denture might. Plus, their porcelain surfaces ensure they blend seamlessly with your smile.
The average dental implant lasts 15-20 years, while a well-maintained one can work for 30 years or more. Treatment could thus keep your grin full and restored for a lifetime!
Why Would Dental Implants Fail?
Due to how they work, dental implants can fail early for various reasons. These include:
- Bad Oral Hygiene – Dental implants need a healthy mouth to work. If nearby teeth and gums become too weak, the posts will often loosen and fall out.
- Poor Placement – When a dentist doesn't place a dental implant well, the post can fail to fuse with your jaw and eventually fall out.
- Accidents & Injuries – Dental implants are durable but have limits. They may fail when accidents or injuries put them under intense pressure.
Ways to Avoid Dental Implant Failure
You don't need to do much to avoid dental implant failure. All in all, you can protect the posts with the following tips and tricks:
Keep a Clean Mouth
Since dental implants depend on good oral health, you should always keep your mouth clean. That means brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and regular oral rinses. Through these habits, you'll remove harmful plaque that can damage the teeth and gums near your implant post(s). The result will be a healthier grin that's less likely to suffer dental implant failure.
Avoid Bad Oral Habits
If you want your dental implants to last, avoid bad oral habits. Smoking tobacco is known to cause gum disease – a major risk factor for implant failure. Similarly, biting hard objects – fingernails, ice cubes, pens, etc. – can cause your posts to chip, crack, or come loose. Such practices won't do you or your implants much good in the long run.
Use a Nightguard
Patients can often protect their dental implants by wearing a nightguard to bed. Many people grind or clench their teeth (i.e., bruxism) while asleep, which is something that can damage the posts. Thankfully, a nightguard would protect your implants from the pressure of nightly clenching or grinding. They'd then last much longer than they would otherwise.
Get Dental Checkups
Even if your dental implants feel fine, look after them by getting regular dental checkups. These sessions allow your dentist to treat oral issues while they're still small. To that extent, they ensure your implant posts don't face major health threats like tooth decay, gum disease, etc. Your prosthetic teeth can instead remain strong and stable for many years!
For other ways to avoid dental implant failure, talk to your dental provider. They'll gladly share more methods that can keep your posts safe!
