Why Dental Implants Fail–And How To Prevent It

Dental implants can be a real game changer for those with cracked, damaged, or missing teeth. Yet unless those implants are cared for properly, they may not last half as long as they should. If you recently opted to undergo dental implant procedure, read on. This article will provide some crucial information about what causes implants to fail--and how you can avoid letting it happen.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the ten dollar word for a bad but all-too-common habit: teeth grinding. Bruxism places a great deal of stress on the surfaces of certain teeth, especially the molars and other teeth toward the back of the mouth. This stress can lead to cracks and fractures in the abutment screws, and even outright failure of the dental implants.

The primary solution for bruxism involves behavior modification to reduce the frequency and intensity of the grinding. This is often accomplished through the application of stress management skills, as bruxism in many cases is tied to elevated stress levels. Your dentist may also choose to prescribe a mouth guard to reduce the intensity of unconscious grinding while you are asleep. 

Bacterial Infection

Dental implant surgery is an intensive operation--one that, like any other oral surgery, involves a certain risk of unanticipated infection. This is especially true in the days and weeks immediately following the surgery. If such infections become serious enough, they can negatively impact your body's ability to successfully integrate with the dental implant.

To help mitigate the chances of developing a bacterial infection, it is common for an antibiotic to be prescribed a week or so before the surgery. This acts to eliminate any troublesome bacteria in your body, thus preventing them from taking advantage of your weakened immune system.

Hygiene is probably the single most important factor in keeping bacteria at bay following your dental implant surgery. Though you will likely be experiencing some discomfort, regular brushing and flossing are vital. When used as directed, antiseptic rinses can also do wonders to keep you from developing potentially problematic infections.

Tobacco Smoke

Successful implementation of dental implants requires that your immune system be able to work at peak efficiency. Cigarette smoke seriously impedes this process. That's because it reduces your bloodstream's oxygen level, and so makes the process of wound recovery much more difficult for your body. Do yourself a favor and make your upcoming implant surgery the perfect excuse to finally kick the habit.


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