If you are one of the many who have selected dental implant surgery to replace missing or failing teeth, or removable dentures that only seem to cause pain and embarrassment, you’ve definitely made the right choice!
Over the past twenty years, researchers have begun to understand the benefits, as well as the superiority of dental implants over traditional dentistry. Unlike bridges or removable dentures, a dental implant actually uses a biocompatible titanium-based rod that supplants the tooth’s natural root, causing the implant to actually attach to the bone, also known as osseointegration. This process allows the dental implant to act and function as a normal tooth, preserves facial structure and integrity, and unlike traditional bridges or partial dentures, does not strain or damage the adjacent teeth.
Yet, as with natural teeth, implants are susceptible to infection when good oral hygiene and proper implant cleanings are ignored, the mucous membrane surrounding the implant becomes infected with bacteria. This bacterial infection results in mucositis, which is similar to gingivitis-symptoms include redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. If not treated, mucositis evolves into peri-implantitis, in which the untreated infection begins attacking the supporting bone, resulting in bone loss.
Although there are other contributing risk factors, including diabetes and smoking, proper oral health hygiene is vital to keeping your dental implants in optimal shape. That’s why it’s imperative that you sit down with your implant dentist beforehand and discuss proper oral hygiene and aftercare in order to keep your dental implants a permanent, lifelong investment to your health.
Practicing proper oral health hygiene is just as important for an implant as it is for natural teeth bacterial biofilm (plaque) forms on the implant and must be removed daily in order to keep it in prime shape. Although dental implants have been around for years, researchers are still undecided on an exact process for dental implant care. Thankfully, there are a myriad of products, including sonic toothbrushes, flossers, and antimicrobial rinses that your implant dentist can suggest during your pre-surgery consultation that will contribute to the essential process of practicing exceptional oral health hygiene on a twice-daily basis.
Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants also require visits to your implant dentist, in which he/she will evaluate the implants for proper bone attachment, as well as any infections or other issues that could affect its success. After the evaluation, your implants will be cleaned with specific tools designed for dental implants, as implant crowns can be scratched if traditional dental tools are used.
Taking quality care of your implants by practicing proper techniques at home, as well as visiting your implant dentist every 4-6 months, will ensure that they will contribute to your beautiful smile for a lifetime.·