After investing time and money into your new smile, you want to make sure you get the most out of them. There are several factors that go into taking care of and making sure your dental implants in Colorado Springs don’t fail. To reap the countless benefits that this restorative procedure has to offer you, it’s important to take proper care of them. Read on to learn how to increase the lifespan of your implants and what factors can impact their success.
How Long Do Implants Last?
Since dental implants were first introduced, over the last 40 years, professionals have researched and refined them to make them as successful as they are today. They look, feel, and function almost identically to your natural teeth, which helps boost your confidence and maintain great oral health. While they don’t last forever, with the proper care and attention, they can last over 25 years. There are a variety of factors that go into how long they last. So, as long as you avoid certain habits, you can get the most out of your new replacement teeth.
What Factors Impact Dental Implant Failure?
Dental implant failure can occur directly after the surgery, or years later. To get the most out of your procedure, it’s important to consider what can cause them to fail. Some factors that can impact the success of your new teeth include:
- Gum disease
- Smoking
- Deteriorated jawbone
- Certain medical conditions such as diabetes
- Poor oral hygiene
Whether you have bad oral habits or not, you may still be able to get dental implants. To reduce your risk of implant failure, it’s important to keep up with your mouth and make sure it’s in good shape. Talking to your dentist about these factors can help shed some light on exactly how they can put your mouth in harm’s way.
How Can You Protect Your New Oral Investment?
Even though dental implants boast a 95% success rate, it’s important to take care of them so they last. Some of the best ways you can reduce your risk of implant failure and ensure that you get a chance to enjoy them include:
- Brushing and flossing daily, like you would with your natural teeth.
- Attend semi-annual checkups and cleanings with your dentist.
- Quit bad oral habits such as smoking.
- Take supplements and consume foods that help support bone strength.
- If you grind your teeth at night, look into getting a custom-fitted night guard to reduce the impact this action has on your implants.
Knowing the potential risks that your oral habits can create and changing them is the first step to increase your chances of having a successful procedure. Asking your periodontist or dental professional about what they’d recommend doing to make sure your dental implants are long-lasting is also a great action to take. Enjoy all the benefits of this fantastic dental procedure by reducing your risk of failure!
About the Author
Dr. Karl Lackler rated in the top 3% of the National Periodontal Board Exam and has been published by various peer-reviewed journals. As a member of multiple professional organizations, he looks forward to providing each of his patients with reliable care they can trust. He utilizes the most modern dental technology and treatments so he can provide his patients with the highest quality of treatment. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Rocky Mountain Periodontal Specialists’ website or contact 719-574-4867.