Dental implants are an innovative solution for individuals who have lost their teeth due to decay, injury, or other factors. They serve as artificial replacements for the root of a missing tooth and provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth that match your natural ones. Made from titanium and materials compatible with the human body, dental implants offer a long-term option to restore your smile effectively.
With dental implants, you can improve your ability to chew and speak, close gaps in your smile, and prevent serious oral health complications related to tooth loss. To maximize the benefits of this treatment, you must know how to take care of these fixtures in your smile.
Daily Dental Implant Care Is Critical
Dental implants mimic natural teeth in function and appearance, and they require conscientious daily care to prevent serious issues. The implant itself cannot develop cavities or become infected due to its artificial nature. However, neglect can lead to inflammation around the gums and jawbone tissue surrounding it—a condition known as implantitis.
When bacteria flourish in your mouth due to poor oral hygiene practices, these destructive microorganisms can form hard deposits called tartar on dental implants—just like they do on natural teeth. Tartar inflames gums while deteriorating bone holding the implant in place. If left unchecked, this could result in losing the implant altogether.
Professional Cleaning: A Must-Have Practice for Implant Patients
Maintaining regular visits with your Levesque Dentistry dentist plays an essential role in ensuring the optimal health of your dental implants. At-home oral hygiene routines like brushing and flossing your teeth also prove important to caring for implants and your smile. This removes a significant amount of harmful plaque in a timely fashion before it can damage tissue around the implant and affect its well-being.
A professional teeth cleaning every six months or so allows dentists to not only clean areas difficult to reach at home but also spot early signs of mucositis—bleeding from the implant site. If addressed promptly, mucositis might be reversible. But you will need to seek urgent treatment for this issue before it progresses to irreversible bone loss that may cause loosening or falling out of the implant.
What to Expect During Dental Check-Ups
During regular visits, the dentist checks the health of the gums around the implant just like they do for natural teeth. They also compare annual x-rays, check bite patterns, and ensure all components are functioning correctly. These practices help in the early detection of any issues that might compromise the longevity of your dental implants.
While dental implants offer a promising solution to missing or broken teeth, their success largely depends on diligent oral hygiene practices at home coupled with regular professional cleaning sessions. If you have dental implants or are considering getting them due to missing teeth, remember that care for your new smile is as crucial as restoring it.