Dental implants in Irving are no small investment, and the treatment process can take months to complete. Upon revitalizing your smile with this leading-edge answer to tooth loss, you’ll want to make some small, mindful changes to your daily life so you can get the most out of them. Read on to learn more about creating the perfect oral environment to make your implants last longer.
What’s the Average Lifespan of Dental Implants?
Although dental implants are one of the larger up-front investments you can make when restoring missing teeth, you won’t regret it. They can last up to four times longer than traditional dentures and provide numerous benefits that outmatch them, too. When properly placed and restored, and with a good dental hygiene routine, your restored smile can last for up to 30 years. Studies have shown them last even longer in certain patients, so it’s worthwhile to do everything you can to preserve them to get the most out of your investment!
What Causes Dental Implants to Fail?
Dental implants can fail either directly after they’re placed due to them not properly integrating with the jawbone, or years down the line. Peri-implantitis, which is an infection of the bone supporting the dental implant due to bacteria accumulating in the mouth, is the most common cause of implant failure. When the bone erodes due to the infection, it can cause the implant to become loose and make it unable to support the restoration. Other causes of implant failure can be due to poor dental hygiene, smoking, and more.
How Can You Make Your Implants Last Longer?
If you weren’t diligent about maintaining a good oral hygiene routine before getting dental implants, it’s a good idea to build new, healthier habits to make sure your investment in restoring your smile isn’t in vain. Some of the steps you can take to make your dental implants last longer include:
- Quit smoking at least two weeks before your implant placement. Using tobacco products can slow the healing process down after your surgery, leading to failed osseointegration.
- Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use antibacterial mouthwash. This is recommended to minimize the accumulation of harmful oral bacteria that can lead to infections like peri-implantitis.
- Schedule two professional dental cleanings a year, or more if your dentist advises. These professional cleanings will remove the tartar accumulation in the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that you may not be able to reach at home.
By making these three changes to your lifestyle habits, you can extend the lifespan of your dental implants. While some are much easier to do than others, with help from your dentist and primary care doctor, you may make more progress on the harder changes, like quitting using tobacco products.
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq Hirji has over a decade of experience and has his Level 2 dental sedation certification. His advanced training allows him to complete both the placement and restoration of dental implants in-house, as well as salvaging failing dental implants. For questions or to learn more about this golden standard of treatment, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.