Sometimes in life, our success depends on how prepared we are. It’s hard to pass a spelling test if you don’t study, just like it would be difficult to paint a house without paint. But when you arm yourself with the keys to success, you give your goals a fighting chance. Whether you’re double checking that you have all the ingredients before you start cooking, or you’re following your dentist’s tips for a successful dental implant surgery, preparation matters. While there are no guarantees that your dental implants will be a success, here are a few ways you can help ensure they have the best possible odds.
The Two Types of Dental Implant Failure
There are two types of dental implant failure. The first type is short term failure, which occurs when the dental implant fails to properly adhere to the jawbone. This can be caused by insufficient bone, improper aftercare, or even infection. Short term failure can sometimes be corrected by undergoing a bone graft procedure and then reattempting to attach the implant after the graft has healed.
Long term implant failure occurs over time, after the initial surgery has healed. This can be caused by several factors, including improper care, wear and tear, age, or changes to your health.
Your dentist will do their best to make sure you are a good candidate for dental implant surgery before greenlighting the procedure. If it is determined that your odds of success will be high, your dentist will provide ample information to you to make the healing process as easy as possible.
How To Prevent Dental Implant Failure
Dental implant failure is very rare. In fact, about 98 percent of all implants will successfully attach to the jawbone. This is called osseointegration. Still, despite the odds, there is a chance that your implant could fall into the two percent category. Thankfully, these tips can help their chances.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking not only harms your teeth and gums, but it also makes it harder for your body to heal, including from surgical procedures.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene as instructed by your dentist. Whether you’re replacing one or more teeth it is still imperative that you brush and floss your teeth.
- Reduce your intake of sweets and carbohydrates and be sure to drink plenty of water.
- Exercise and get plenty of rest, as the healthier you are, the easier your healing process will be.
Unfortunately, in some cases dental implant failure is simply not preventable. This sometimes occurs when your jawbone has deteriorated to the point where the implant cannot successfully attach. In this case, you may need a bone graft before attempting to install the implant again, or it may be determined that you are simply not a good candidate for this type of prosthetic.
If you will be undergoing dental implant surgery, be sure to familiarize yourself with these tips, and read over any aftercare instructions from your dentist prior to your surgery. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be for a successful recovery.
About Our Practice
Attleboro Dental Group is proud to provide a wide range of dental services from exams and cleanings to cosmetic and restoration procedures. We offer in-house dental implant services and strive to help our patients receive the best possible results from any treatment we perform.
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, please visit our website to schedule an appointment, or call us at 774-703-3742.