Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement. They are strong, reliable, and have a 95% success rate. They look and function exactly like natural teeth and can have a great impact on your self-esteem. Unlike dentures, they are completely secured to your jawbone and run no risk of slipping or falling out, making it easier for you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. If you have dental implants, you want them to last as long as possible. Learn how to maximize their longevity from your dentist in Salt Lake City.
Treat It Like a Tooth
The average lifespan of a dental implant, with proper care, is twenty-five years or more. Even though the root of your implant is made of titanium and the restoration is porcelain, it is still very important to treat it as you would any other tooth. Daily oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing twice a day are vital for maintaining the integrity of your implant. You should also be seeing your dentist at regular intervals, twice a year if you have healthy gums and bone or three to four times a year if you have periodontal disease.
Don’t Overexert
Even though dental implants are remarkably strong and durable, it’s important to avoid subjecting them to forces that would harm any natural tooth. This means avoiding chewing on very hard, crunchy things such as rock candy and ice. You should also avoid performing party tricks like opening bottles with your teeth. Putting too much strain on your implant can cause it to fail early.
Work with Your Dentist During Placement
One of the key contributing factors to implant success is how it is placed in your jawbone. Throughout the process, the dentist or oral surgeon should be monitoring exactly where to place your implant and tracking how much it has started to bond with your jawbone. When done correctly, the implant root will have been thoroughly absorbed before a final crown is placed. If you start to notice any trouble, contact your dentist right away.
Your dentist wants your implant to last a long time. Implants are more than just a restoration for your mouth, they are an investment in yourself. Take great care of your implant and you’ll have a beautiful smile for decades to come.
About the Author
Dr. Charles Walker loves transforming and restoring smiles through his dentistry. Since graduating from the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry, he has spent decades continuing his education and refining his craft to provide the best care possible. He is a Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association and is involved with other prestigious dental organizations like the American Dental Association and the Utah Dental Association. If you’d like to find out more about dental implants, Dr. Walker and his team at Confident Brilliant Smiles would love to help. Give the office a call at (801) 758-8072 or send them an email.