A dental implant is the most reliable method of treating a lost tooth. With over a 95% success rate, an implant can last for decades with the correct care. However, failure occurs in about 5% of cases. Although the risk is minimal, it’s best to protect your smile from complications. Here’s how you can avoid dental implant failure.
Choose High-Quality Materials
Everyone enjoys saving money, but it’s not a time to pinch pennies when choosing materials for your dental implants. Low-quality materials can have a higher risk of complications and they may not be as aesthetically pleasing as those that cost more. It is better to invest in high-quality materials that are proven successful and reliable.
Choose a Qualified Dentist
Many dentists offer dental implants, but not all have undergone advanced training to handle the entire procedure in-house. Therefore, you could be sent to multiple dental professionals for each phase of your treatment plan. You can avoid the hassle by investing in a qualified implant dentist to handle your procedure from start to finish.
Follow Your Aftercare Instructions
You’ll be given strict aftercare instructions to allow your mouth time to heal after your placement surgery. Your jawbone must fuse with your implant through a process called osseointegration. Eating hard foods before instructed and other mistakes can cause osseointegration to fail and your implant will need to be removed. Committing to your dentist’s aftercare instructions will allow your mouth to heal properly to ensure the success of your dental implants.
Commit to Good Oral Hygiene
Peri-implantitis is a leading cause of dental implant failure, which is an infection similar to gum disease. Thankfully, it’s easy to keep the infection at bay with good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes and floss daily to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Smoking and alcohol can increase your risk of dental implant failure because they affect the body’s ability to heal and fight infections. It’s best to stop smoking and moderate your alcohol consumption to keep your mouth and body healthy.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Early intervention can stop dental implant failure. Visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. They will monitor your dental health to detect anything concerning early, like gum inflammation. They can provide the prompt care you need to safeguard your investment.
You can enjoy proven results that look and feel natural when choosing dental implants to replace your lost teeth.
About Dr. J. Travis Kobza
Dr. Kobza earned his dental degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and has continued his training in advanced procedures, including the placement and restoration of dental implants. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the American Dental Association, and many other professional organizations. Schedule an appointment through his website or call his office at (402) 576-5416.