What’s the Secret to Dental Implant Success?

If you’ve been considering dental implants, you may have already heard that these durable, beautiful, natural-looking prosthetics were built to last. In fact, today’s dental implants boast a 95 percent success rate! But do you know why they’re so reliable? Here are a few factors that make dental implants the best way to restore your smile, hands down!

Why Do Dental Implants Last So Long?

In order to best understand why dental implants last so long, you need to understand what makes them different. Unlike other types of restorations like dental bridges and dentures, dental implants are permanently attached to your jawbone. Because of this, they never need to come out for cleaning, soaking, or when you go to sleep. Best of all, with proper care and use, you may never need to replace them!

Why Dental Implants Sometimes Fail

Though dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss, there is still a very small (5 percent) chance that they can fail. Though not always preventable, you can reduce your risk of this occurring by adhering to the following guidelines:

• Follow your surgical aftercare guidelines as closely as possible.
• Stop smoking at least two weeks before your dental implant surgery and try to avoid starting again for as long as possible after, as smoking can cause dry mouth and increase your risk of dental implant failure.
• Brush your teeth and dental implants twice a day, and floss daily. Failing to care for your teeth and gums can cause a condition called peri-implantitis that is similar to gum disease and can cause them to fail.
• Never use your dental implants for tools; do not open packaging, bite fingernails, or crunch ice with them.
• If you grind your teeth, speak to your dentist about having a custom mouthguard made.
• If you play sports, always wear a sports mouthguard during activities.
• Visit your dentist twice a year for your regular, biannual exam and cleaning, even if you have no remaining natural teeth.

Remember, the success of your dental implants mostly depends on you. Be sure to take excellent care of your smile and never use your restorations for anything but food. With proper use and oral hygiene, you can easily expect your smile to last a lifetime!

About Dr. Lloyd

Dr. David R. Lloyd earned his dental degree from Emory University School of Dentistry. He is a member of the Florida Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Volusia-Flagler Dental Association (past President & Treasurer). He is also an aircraft commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary! To schedule an appointment for dental implants with Indigo Dental of Daytona Beach, please visit our website or call us today at 386-253-3629.