Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They can be used to replace one tooth, several teeth, or the entire mouthful of teeth. Although they have a high rate of success, there are cases where dental implants can fail. Dental implant failure happens for a variety of reasons, such as when the dental implant is not cared for properly or doesn’t heal correctly. In this blog, we will discuss why dental implants fail and how to prevent dental implant failure from happening.
Dental implants can fail for a number of reasons, including:
- Not caring for the dental implant properly: after having dental implant surgery, you will need to follow certain guidelines. Failing to do so can cause the implant to fail.
- Poor oral hygiene: not practicing good oral hygiene can cause plaque and bacteria to accumulate around the implant, which can lead to the development of peri-implant diseases and increase the risk of implant failure.
- Smoking: smoking weakens the gum and bone tissues, causes dry mouth, and slows the healing process. Overall, smoking severely inhibits the body’s ability to recover after dental implant surgery, making complications more likely.
- Improper implant placement: if an implant is not placed in the proper position, then it may not heal properly and/or fall out. Sometimes the implant can also shift from eating hard foods too soon after surgery.
To prevent dental implant failure, it is important to:
Brush your teeth and floss regularly.
This will help remove plaque and bacteria from around the implant site. A good oral hygiene routine consists of brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash if needed. You may also need to use special floss for implants to ensure you are effectively cleaning around the implant.
Avoid smoking.
Smoking not only decreases the success rate of dental implants, but also increases the risk of many other diseases. While some dentists will place dental implants in people who smoke, others will only do the procedure if you abstain from smoking. The best decision is to quit smoking altogether to benefit both your oral and overall health.
Follow your dentist’s postoperative instructions closely.
Following your dentist’s postoperative instructions will help ensure that your implant heals properly and reduces the risk of failure. In fact, the success of dental implants is largely based upon patient compliance. This means that people who abide by their dentist’s directions are more likely to experience success. In most cases, postoperative instructions can include guidelines such as: not eating hard foods, avoiding smoking, and brushing and flossing regularly. You may also need to take medications to prevent infection.
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, but it is important to remember that they are not 100% infallible and can fail due to a variety of reasons such as not caring for them properly, poor oral hygiene, smoking, or not following postoperative guidelines. Therefore, by following these tips, you can help reduce your chances of dental implant failure. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak with your dentist.
