3 Issues That Could Cause Your New Dental Implant to Fail
Dental implant restoration is a groundbreaking procedure that can restore missing teeth. Held in place by small titanium implants, dental implants look as natural as your own teeth and eventually fuse with the bone tissue to create a stable biting surface. However, dental implants can fail in some instances, which is why you should be on the lookout for issues. Here are three things that could cause your dental implants to fail, and how to avoid these challenges.
1. Grinding Your Teeth. Bruxism, or tooth grinding, can put enough pressure on your natural teeth to cause dental fractures, looseness, or even knocked-out teeth. Unfortunately, the same issues can occur with dental implants if you have an unchecked issue with overnight teeth grinding.
Talk with your spouse or roommate to see if they have noticed the sound of you grinding your teeth overnight. If you wake up and your jaw is sore or you have chipped teeth, talk with your dentist about being prescribed a custom protective mouth guard. These special devices cushion your teeth and can prevent dental implant damage, even if you still clench or grind your teeth.
2. Smoking. Although smoking may seem like it couldn't damage a false tooth, dental implant restorations can only heal properly if they have an adequate blood supply, and smoking can actually restrict blood vessels that encourage healing. For this reason, failure rates are as high as 15.8% in smokers, and less than 2% in people that don't engage in this habit.
If you smoke, chat with your doctor about how to quit before you have dental implants placed. Make sure you are completely clear with your dentist about your current smoking habits, so they understand your level of risk before the surgery.
3. Poor Health. Ongoing health issues can create issues with healing, which is why it is always a good idea to mention any changes with your health to your dentist. Talk to your dental care professional about new issues such as cancer, diabetes, or even heart health problems, since certain medications and treatments could complicate healing.
Additionally, do what you can to live a healthy lifestyle by focusing on things like eating a healthy diet, exercising, and taking prescribed medications.
If you have recently undergone a dental restoration and you are concerned about the way your teeth look or feel, speak with a dentist as soon as you can. With early treatment, many complications can be resolved, so don't be afraid to reach out. Go to this site for more information.
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