Dental implants are the most reliable option to treat tooth loss. In fact, they are proven to last for decades with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. They have over a 95% success rate, so you shouldn’t need to worry about needing to have them replaced; however, complications can arise. With quick care from your dentist, they can help prevent dental implant failure in Skokie. Here are the most common causes of complications and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Gum Disease
Although gum disease is preventable, it’s the leading cause of tooth loss. Unfortunately, even if you’ve lost all your natural teeth, you aren’t immune to the infection. Peri-implantitis is a form of infection that can cause dental implants to fail. You can help keep the infection at bay by committing to your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist at least every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup.
2. Smoking
Smoking is a leading contributor to dental implant failure. In fact, it increases your risk by up to 20% because it restricts the blood flow to the gums. As a result, you’ll have a slower healing process. You’ll also be at a higher risk of infection. If you use tobacco, that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from dental implants. If you can’t kick the habit, it’s best to stop smoking at least one week prior to your dental implant placement surgery.
3. Insufficient Jawbone
The long-term success of your new smile relies on having adequate density in your jaw for your bone to fuse to the posts through a process called osseointegration. Your dentist in Skokie will evaluate your jaw during your initial consultation to ensure it can support your posts. If you have any areas that are weakened, bone grafting can enhance the thickness to make you a suitable candidate for dental implants.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
You can help protect your investment from complete failure by seeking immediate care at the first sign of a problem, such as:
- Redness or swelling near the dental implant.
- Pain or tenderness.
- Felling like the implant is loose.
- Pain when biting or difficulty chewing.
Preventing Dental Implant Failure
The risk of dental implant failure is less than 5%; however, it’s best to follow a few precautions to protect your investment:
- Commit to brushing your teeth at least twice daily for 2 minutes each session.
- Floss every night before going to bed.
- Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports.
- Treat bruxism with a nightguard.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools or chew on inedible objects.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year.
You can replace your missing teeth using a solution that can last for a lifetime with a proactive approach to safeguarding your smile.
About Dr. Brad Weiss
Dr. Weiss earned his dental degree at the Indiana University’s School of Dentistry. He has completed advanced training in many specialties, like implant dentistry. If you’re ready to replace your missing teeth, contact our office today to see if dental implants are right for you.