If you’re faced with losing one or more permanent teeth, we strongly recommend getting them replaced as quickly as possible. Our Mesa, AZ dentist suggests dental implants as the best solution for rehabilitation.
What Is A Dental Implant?
Essentially, an implant is an artificial “root” that’s embedded within the bone. Although several different kinds of implant materials are available, most are made from surgical grade titanium.
Extending past the implant is a small post called an abutment, which is used as a connecting piece to attach your crown (artificial tooth) to your implant. Implants can also be grouped together and used to support a full set of artificial teeth known as an overdenture, snap-on-denture, or all-on-four-denture.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
You’ll be happy to hear that Mesa dental implants have the potential to last the rest of your lifetime. With proper care and daily maintenance, your implants are an investment that outlast all other types of tooth replacement treatments.
How to Care For Your Implants
There are essentially three things that can hurt your dental implant and keep it from lasting as long as it’s intended to. Those include applying too much force to the implant, developing decay around neighboring teeth, and poor oral hygiene resulting in gum disease.
Limit the Amount of Force Applied to Your Dental Implant
Applying too much pressure to your implant can cause stress on your implant, resulting in bone loss and a loose restoration. Try to avoid bad habits like chewing on hard items such as ice. Also, be careful with the foods you eat, because things like fruit pits can cause trauma to the implant or other teeth.
Avoid Developing Decay Around the Neighboring Teeth
Since the crown that goes over the implant is porcelain, there’s no need to worry about it developing a cavity. However, it is possible to still develop decay on the adjacent teeth, which can cause gum irritation and bone loss around your dental implant, resulting in lack of support and a loose restoration.
Steer Clear of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a death sentence for dental implants. Advanced gum disease causes severe bone loss, and since your bone is what holds your implant in place, without it, the artificial root simply can’t stay in place. If you have gum disease, your implant will begin to loosen as you bone level declines, and eventually, it could fall out on its own. This type of infection is referred to as “peri-implantitis.”
How To Prevent Decay and Gum Disease
To ensure that you don’t develop decay near your implant or become a victim of peri-implantitis, make sure that you have excellent dental hygiene habits. This should include using a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day. Angle the bristles toward the gum line to remove plaque effectively. An electric toothbrush is a great investment and will clean your mouth more efficiently, helping prevent gum recession caused by aggressive brushing.
Flossing daily is also imperative for maintaining a healthy mouth. It’s essential for removing plaque from between your teeth, which can turn into decay or peri-implantitis.
Even if you don’t have any remaining teeth, you should always brush your implants, as well as your gum tissue. A water flosser is a great tool used to flush any particles from around your implants or fixed restorations.
Get Regular Dental Cleanings and Check-ups
Our Mesa, AZ dentist and staff can help you keep your smile and new implants healthy for years to come. Even if you’re missing all of your natural teeth, getting cleanings regularly is important to the livelihood of your restored smile.
Our registered hygienists use special instruments to clean the hard to access areas that your at-home products don’t reach. Having professional dental cleanings at least once every six months will allow us to properly and thoroughly clean your implant.
During your visit, our dentist will examine your implant, as well as the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. We will also take periodic x-rays to ensure that the implant and its surrounding bone is healthy and stable.
Where to Get A Dental Implant in Mesa, AZ
The proper placement of an implant is essential for it to have a long life expectancy. The way you can ensure that this happens is by seeing a Mesa dentist that’s experienced and well skilled in implant placement.
For exceptional treatment and dental implant rehabilitation, turn to Dr. Vinh Huynh, DMD of Eastport Dental in Mesa, AZ. He and our professional staff look forward to meeting you! Call us today to book your first consultation
