4 Steps You Can Take for Successful Dental Implants

Dental implants boast an impressive 95% success rate after five years of placement, but there are additional preventive measures you can take to secure their success and extend their lifespan. After investing in a beautiful, natural looking and feeling smile, it makes sense that you’d want to do everything you can to preserve it! Read on to learn four steps you can take to reduce your risk of complications after getting dental implants and ensure their success.

Stop Bad Oral Habits Like Smoking & Drinking Alcohol

One of the most important parts of the dental implant process is osseointegration, where they fuse with the jawbone. This occurs between three and six months after they’re surgically placed. To ensure integration with the bone and their long-term success, it’s important that the mouth receives good blood flow. Using nicotine products like cigarettes and drinking alcohol can reduce blood flow within the mouth, therefore, increasing the chances of complications like infections occurring after the surgery.

Maintain a Good At-Home Oral Hygiene Routine

Dental implant failure can occur early or late stage, which is separated within the first 10 years of placement or after 10 years. That’s why it’s important to maintain good oral health, even after they have fused with the jawbone. Your gums and jawbone are the main support systems for your restorations, so it’s important to keep them healthy and minimize bacteria accumulation within the mouth by brushing twice each day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash. It’s also crucial to schedule routine six-month checkups and cleanings with your dentist.

Replace Missing Teeth Sooner Rather Than Later

If you have gaps in your smile and put off replacing them, it could lead to jawbone erosion. In order to have successful dental implants, your jawbone must be dense enough to fuse with and support them. By replacing missing teeth early on, you can avoid needing any preparatory procedures, like a bone graft, before restoring your smile.

See a Specialist That Knows What They’re Doing

The key to successful dental implants is having the procedure completed by a specialist who can place, restore, and salvage dental implants. Periodontists have completed additional three-year residencies after earning their doctorates in order to specialize in certain treatments, like gum disease therapy and in some cases, dental implants. It’s also a good idea to view your provider’s biography and credentials, seeing if they’ve completed any additional training in dental implant procedures. This will ensure that you have chosen someone who knows exactly what they’re doing!

Studies have shown that with the proper care, dental implants can last 35 years or longer, making these four preventive tips well worth implementing into your tooth replacement journey!

About the Author

Dr. Justin Braga has over 15 years of experience in his field. He’s Board-Certified in both Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery, meaning he has years of specialized knowledge, skills, and experience under his belt that allow him to provide some of the latest treatments. To learn more about dental implants, visit Huntington Beach Periodontics & Dental Implants’ website or call 714-587-9094.