If you’ve just invested in dental implants to restore your smile, congratulations! A full and functional set of teeth is in your future! However, without the proper at-home and professional maintenance, it’s possible for them to fail. While this is rare, it’s a good idea to take the proper precautions to make sure your new and hard-earned smile remains healthy. Read on to learn about what causes dental implant failure and how to avoid it.
What is Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implant failure can occur either immediately after placement or years down the line, which is why it’s important to maintain a consistent, good dental hygiene routine. Some of the short-term causes of dental implant failure include:
- Deprived blood flow to the implant, preventing osseointegration from occurring.
- Existing infections, like gum disease, that haven’t been fully treated before getting dental implants.
- Moving or shifting the implant post as it’s healing.
- Existing autoimmune conditions that aren’t being adequately managed.
Dental implant failure can also occur years down the line, and this is typically the result of an underlying infection, called peri-implantitis. This infection is caused by a build-up of harmful oral bacteria along the gumline that leads to the deterioration of the supportive soft and hard tissues around the dental implant.
How to Prevent Dental Implant Failure
There are a couple of precautionary measures you can take to prevent dental implant failure, including:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss daily. Rinse with antimicrobial mouthwash at least once a day.
- Visit your dentist in Clinton Township every six months for routine checkups and cleanings.
- Protect your dental implants from trauma by wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth or a sportsguard if you participate in contact sports.
- Maintain a balanced, healthy diet that isn’t too heavy in carbohydrates, sugars, and processed foods.
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before your dental implant treatment, and ideally, afterward as well.
Signs of Dental Implant Failure
While taking precautionary measures can help you drastically minimize your risk of dental implant failure, it’s always a good idea to acquaint yourself with the common signs just in case. Some of the most common symptoms of implant failure include:
- Loose dental implant
- Bleeding or swelling around the dental implant
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain
- Gum recession around the dental implant
- Bad breath
- Visible pus around the dental implant
If you’re concerned about dental implant failure, the best step to take is to contact your dental implant dentist for an examination. By keeping an eye out for the early signs, as well as taking the preventive measures listed above, you can keep your newly restored smile as healthy as possible.
About the Practice
At Clinton Township Family Dental, our team is led by two highly experienced and expertly trained dentists, Dr. Rabban and Dr. Ghanim. Dedicated to helping their patients restore missing teeth with leading-edge techniques, our dentists have transformed hundreds of smiles with dental implant treatment. To schedule a consultation or learn more about dental implants, visit Clinton Township Family Dental’s website or call 586-416-1444.