Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed in the gum tissue, where they eventually fuse with the jawbone. They are then covered with a cap or crown that match the surrounding teeth. Dental implants are an excellent method to replace lost teeth because they are long lasting and require no extra care beyond routine oral hygiene habits.
Dental implants can last decades, if properly cared for. There are a few factors that contribute to the success or failure of a patient’s implant, the first of which is smoking. A patient who smokes (especially during the healing process after the implant is placed) is more likely to experience implant failure than a patient who does not smoke because the chemicals in tobacco decrease blood flow to the gum tissues.
A second factor in the long-term success of dental implants is the state of the bone tissue. Having high quality bone tissue will give the implants a higher success rate. Once the implants are placed, maintaining a diet that supports bone health can lead to longer-lasting implants.
The expertise of the implant dentist you select is also a factor in implant success. A highly trained and experienced implant dentist will install only high quality implants. He will only place them in places in the mouth where there is a high probability of long-term success.
The quality of the crown placed over the dental implant is also a factor in long-term success.
The crown must be designed to take the bite pressure of the specific area of the jaw where the implant is to be placed, and it must take the bite pressure in a balanced way. A poor bite due to a low quality crown can lead to implant failure.
Finally, oral hygiene is an important contributing factor to the overall success rate of dental implants. The patient must brush and floss regularly to prevent gingivitis and other oral health issues. Infections caused by poor oral hygiene can lead to implant failure.
For more information on dental implants, contact our Barrie ON office today.