Longevity of Dental ImplantsOver the past few years, dental implants have become increasingly popular for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons fueling this popularity is that dental implants can last up to a decade. However, this period can even last for the rest of your life with proper care and precaution. Moreover, dental implants help people with missing teeth to boost their self-confidence so they can smile again with ease. If you have missing teeth and you are interested in having a dental implant solution, Jason Widner DMD Family Dentistry offers dental implant services. Call us today to book an appointment. Our dentist is knowledgeable, and our friendly staff can assist you to answer any questions you have when making your appointment. What Are Dental Implants?A dental implant is a structure placed directly into your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. It is a long-term permanent solution for individuals who need a tooth replacement. Ideally, dental implants will fuse with your jawbone and a crown is placed on the implant to complete the treatment. There are many factors that affect the longevity of an implant. Factors Affecting the Dental Implants LongevityYour Oral HygieneTo keep your implant healthy for a long period of time, you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. That is why it is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. Maintaining excellent dental hygiene will ensure that the plaque is kept at healthy levels and the gums are free of diseases and infections. Rinsing with mouthwash after you floss also helps to freshen your breath and removes food particles. In the event that plaque is allowed to get on the implant base, you can develop peri-implantitis which can affect the implant stability. Lifestyle ChoicesDuring the recovery period, it is very important to abstain from smoking and drinking alcohol. This is because smoking interferes with your ability to heal and also increases the chances of an infection developing which can lead to implant failure. You must quit smoking while your dental implant is recovering from surgery. In fact, many dentists will not perform implant surgery on tobacco users and smokers. Even if you recover, smoking and tobacco use can raise the risk of oral cancer and gum disease. If you want to keep your implant for a long time, make sure you quit using oral tobacco and smoking. Timely Visits to the Dental ClinicIt is recommended to visit your dentist frequently after the procedure to ensure that your oral health is in good condition. The dentist will do an oral exam and you will have a thorough teeth cleaning so that your oral health remains in good shape. The dentist must evaluate the overall condition of the implant to ensure that there are no issues with it. Failing to do so, can result in some serious consequences. It is important to understand that dental implants require similar care to natural teeth to last for a long time. At Jason Widner DMD Family Dentistry we can help you to learn more about dental implants and explore their benefits. If you would like to know more about dental implants and how to make sure yours last a lifetime, contact us today to arrange an appointment. |