With their natural appearance and durability, it is no wonder that most of our patients in Bayswater are opting for dental implants. Unlike other restorative options, dental implants can last for more than ten years with proper care and maintenance.
Despite being considered the best in restorative treatments, there are some aspects that potential patients should keep in mind. Dental implants are an investment in your oral health and physical appearance. Therefore, it is important to avoid all of the common risks associated with dental implant failure.
Fortunately, according to the Australian Dental Association, the success rate of dental implants is an impressive 95 percent. In fact, the success rate is even greater when an experienced and qualified oral surgeon performs the procedure. Read on to learn more about the common causes of dental implant failure and tips on how to avoid it.
Common Causes of Dental Implant Failure
As much as dental implant failure is extremely rare, it is not something to take lightly. Here are the most common causes of its failure:
- Infection
Infection can be caused by bacteria that accumulate along the gum line, or it can occur during the treatment process. Infection around the surgery area can damage the surrounding bone and compromise the implant. Additionally, it can occur after the surgery if plaque and tartar are not cleaned from the teeth and gums regularly.
- Poor Placement of the Implant
When implants are not installed correctly, they can become loose and, in the end, fall out. Moreover, implants may be placed inaccurately due to unfitting dental impressions that leave tiny spaces between the gums and implant where bacteria can go in.
- Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
Tobacco smoke contains hazardous chemicals that can easily damage the bone tissue and gums around the implant. Furthermore, smoking minimizes the implant’s ability to heal properly, and alcohol has been found to reduce the chances of jawbone integrating with the implant.
Tips to Avoid Dental Implant Failure
If you have finally decided to address your lost or damaged teeth with dental implants, you will want to do everything to ensure a successful treatment and recovery. So, here are some tips to avoid dental implant failure.
- Choose a Skilled and Experienced Dentist
It is crucial that you choose a skilled dentist in order to achieve the results that you are looking for and have them be successful. Choose a dentist that has years of experience, plenty of training and uses modern and advanced technology. For instance, consider one that uses a cone beam scanner. This is a special type of x-ray that produces 3D images of teeth, nerve pathways, bone, and soft tissues. Choosing the right dentist can drastically reduce the risk of implant failure due to improper implant placement.
- Follow All Post-Operative Guidelines
Secondly, follow all the post-surgical care guidelines provided by the dentist closely. It does not matter whether you chose the best implant dentist in your area; failing to follow the post-operative instructions can easily lead to implant failure. In most cases, these guidelines include scheduling regular checkups and cleanings, brushing, and flossing regularly. Additionally, you may be prescribed an oral antibiotic or antibacterial rinse to reduce the possibility of infection.
- Be a Good Candidate for Dental Implants
Third, ensure you meet all the requirements for you to be considered an ideal candidate for a dental implant, not everyone who wants an implant should get one. For one to be considered an ideal candidate, he/she needs to be in relatively good health, have adequate bone tissue, and have healthy gums. Adequate bone tissue and gums are crucial requirements because they offer support to the implant post. In addition, children are also not considered good candidates for receiving a dental implant. This is due to the fact that they are still growing, and their jaw and facial bones have most likely not finished developing.
- Eat Healthy and Avoid Hard Foods
Finally, your diet has a direct effect on whether your implant placement will be a success or not. Dental implants should mimic the usage of your natural teeth. Therefore try to avoid foods that can strain the implant. Additionally, patients need to be extra careful not to disrupt the surgical area during the healing period or even afterward. Any excessive force can obstruct the osseointegration process and lengthen the recovery time or result in dental implant failure. Patients should stick to soft foods and liquids for at least the first couple of weeks after the procedure.
Bottom Line
Dental implants can last up to 10+ years if you take proper care of them. To ensure that your new and improved smile lasts as long as possible, implement the above-mentioned tips and look out for the common causes of failure.
Our Bayswater dentist takes every possible action to make sure that our patients do not have to worry about any dental implant complications or problems. Contact us today to schedule your consultation or to learn more about dental implant procedures.