How to Make Dental Implants Last | Lincoln Smiles Dental

5 min read

The Promise of Dental Implants

Dental implants have revolutionized the way we replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, implants are designed to last for decades or even a lifetime with proper care. They function like natural teeth, feel comfortable, and help preserve the bone structure of your jaw. However, like any medical device, implants require proper maintenance and care to reach their full lifespan potential. In this article, we will explore the steps you can take to maximize the life of your dental implants.

Understanding Your Dental Implants

A dental implant consists of three main components: the implant body (a titanium screw placed in the jawbone), the abutment (a connector piece), and the crown (the artificial tooth). The titanium implant body is biocompatible, meaning your body will not reject it, and it actually fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This integration is what makes implants so stable and long-lasting. However, the crown and abutment can wear out or break, which is why proper care is important.

Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

The most important factor in prolonging the life of your dental implants is maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Even though implants are artificial and cannot get cavities, the tissue surrounding them can become infected, a condition called peri-implantitis. This inflammation and infection of the gum tissue and bone around the implant can lead to implant failure if not addressed.

Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and implant-specific toothpaste that is non-abrasive. Pay special attention to the area where the implant crown meets the gum. Floss daily using implant-specific floss or a water flosser, which is gentle on the gum tissue around the implant. Some patients find that a water flosser is easier to use around implants than traditional floss.

In addition to brushing and flossing, using an antimicrobial rinse as recommended by your dentist can help reduce the bacterial load in your mouth and protect the tissues around your implant. Discuss with your dentist which oral hygiene products are best for your implants.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining your implants. We recommend that patients with dental implants visit their dentist at least every six months for professional cleaning and evaluation. During these visits, your dentist can remove plaque and tartar buildup that you cannot remove at home and can evaluate the health of the tissue surrounding your implants.

Your dentist will also check the stability of your implant crown and abutment. Over time, the crown may develop small cracks or the bite may shift slightly, requiring adjustment or replacement of the crown. Catching these issues early can prevent more serious problems later.

Protect Your Implants from Trauma

While implants are very strong, excessive force can damage the crown or even compromise the implant. Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages, crack ice, or perform other tasks that put excessive stress on your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night (a condition called bruxism), discuss this with your dentist. Grinding can damage implant crowns and natural teeth. Your dentist may recommend a night guard to protect your implants and teeth while you sleep.

If you play contact sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your implants and natural teeth from trauma. Be mindful of what you chew on. Avoid very hard foods like nuts, popcorn kernels, or hard candy that could damage your implant crown.

Maintain Good Overall Health

Your overall health significantly impacts the health of your implants. Conditions that affect bone health, such as osteoporosis, can increase the risk of implant failure. Smoking is particularly harmful to implants because it reduces blood flow to the gums and impairs the body's ability to fight infection. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to protect your implants.

Diabetes and other conditions that affect immune function can also increase the risk of peri-implantitis. If you have a chronic health condition, work closely with both your dentist and your physician to manage it effectively. Good nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management all contribute to better oral health and implant longevity.

Address Problems Early

If you notice any of the following signs around your implant, contact your dentist right away: increased swelling or redness of the gum, bleeding when brushing or flossing, discomfort or pain, looseness of the crown, or pus discharge. These could be signs of peri-implantitis or other problems that need prompt treatment. Early intervention can often prevent implant failure.

Plan for Potential Replacement

While dental implants are designed to last a long time, the crown on top may need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years depending on wear and tear. This is not a failure of the implant itself but rather normal wear of the restoration. If your implant crown needs to be replaced, this is a relatively simple procedure that your dentist can perform.

The good news is that if the crown needs replacement, the implant body usually remains in place and healthy. This means that replacing the crown is much less involved than placing a new implant, and it is usually less expensive as well.

The Long-Term Investment

While dental implants do require ongoing care and maintenance, the long-term benefits make them an excellent investment in your oral health and quality of life. With proper care, implants can function for decades or even a lifetime, providing better function and comfort than other tooth replacement options. The key is establishing good oral hygiene habits, visiting your dentist regularly, and protecting your implants from excessive force or trauma.

At Lincoln Smiles Dental, Dr. Sepi places implants with meticulous attention to detail and provides comprehensive guidance on implant care and maintenance. If you are considering implants or have questions about caring for existing implants, we are happy to help. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.