Among all the different procedures dentists do, dental implants are among the safest and most successful. In fact, according to the International Journal of Implant Dentistry, a recent analysis found the success rate to be nearly 99% for dental implant procedures. In the same study, 99% of the patients surveyed said they were glad they had the dental implant procedure done and rated the experience as “good” or “excellent.”
In this post, we’ll talk about some of the top factors in the very rare cases where a dental implant is not successful—and how to avoid them.
Avoid Peri-Implantitis
A dental implant looks, feels, and functions just like a normal tooth. And just like a normal tooth, a dental implant can develop a form of gum disease called peri-implantitis. This condition can cause uncomfortable inflammation, minor bleeding, and cause the gums and bone to recede away from the implant.
Peri-implantitis is the leading cause of dental implant failure, and it’s usually linked to bacteria buildup due to a poor oral healthcare routine. To ensure you avoid this condition, make sure you follow your dentist’s recommendations, brush twice a day, and floss your teeth at least once each day.
Report All Medications
In some cases, a prescription medication may interfere with the healing process after a dental implant procedure. This can happen for a variety of reasons, from poor circulation to dry mouth to interfering with the osseointegration process (when your bone fuses to the implant post).
The best way to avoid a complication with your dental implant procedure is to make sure you go over all the medications you regularly take during the implant consultation. Also, a dental implant procedure does take some time to complete, so make sure you let your dentist know if there’s any changes in your medication throughout the process.
Stop All Tobacco Use
Smoking and smokeless tobacco both lead to missing teeth. The ironic part is, if you’re going to get a dental implant, you’ll have to quit using tobacco to ensure a successful procedure. If you’re in this situation, we highly recommend using it as an opportunity to make your plan to quit tobacco altogether.
According to the Journal of International Society of Preventative and Community Dentistry, the failure rate of dental implants for someone who smokes may range from 6.5% to 20% depending on other risk factors.
Don’t Put Off Routine Preventive Care
Making sure you keep your regular dental exams and cleanings on track is vital to ensuring a healthy, functioning dental implant. Make sure you see your dentist at least twice a year to spot potential complications early and to get a good cleaning.
Thanks for Reading!
Dental implants are one of the great dental successes of our time. Not only can you replace a missing, broken, or unhealthy tooth, but you can also preserve your jawbone integrity and keep your teeth and gums from shifting around with an implant.
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