Dental implants are a reliable tooth replacement option for patients with missing teeth. The device can boost your confidence, brighten your smile, and help prevent bone loss. But that is not all that patients look for when choosing a tooth replacement option. Many want to know if dental implants are durable before considering other benefits. Therefore, we prepared this article to discuss the durability of dental implants and how to take care of them so they can last for an extended period.
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How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants were designed to serve as a permanent tooth replacement solution and are thus very long-lasting. They are made from a strong and corrosion-resistant material (titanium) that is embedded in the jawbone for maximum support. Dentists usually use dental crowns with implants to provide a natural look and make treatment more effective.
With good aftercare, dental implants can last for longer than 20 years before needing to be replaced. Unfortunately, if you’ve never gotten dental implants, you may lack the know-how to maintain them properly. No need to worry, though; we added aftercare information that you can follow to best maintain your dental implants.
How Do You Maintain Dental Implants?
Although dental implants are strong and robust, their lifespan also depends on how well they are cared for. Like regular teeth, taking good care of your dental implants will be very beneficial to their health. Below are tips to help you maintain your dental implants:
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential for healthy gums, teeth, and implants. Use a soft-bristled nylon toothbrush when brushing your teeth to avoid damaging your implants. We also recommend avoiding abrasive tooth cleaning products as they can cause discomfort and scratch your implants.
Check if the toothpaste and mouthwash you normally use have highly abrasive materials. If they do, replace them with ones that do not. You should also floss regularly to remove food particles that don’t come off when brushing your teeth. There are flossing products meant for patients with dental implants; consider getting one since they are more effective.
Watch What You Eat
Consuming candy once in a while will likely not damage your implants and teeth. However, too much consumption can be pretty harmful to artificial and natural teeth. Hard and sticky candy can stick to the tooth and crown surface, and if you don’t brush shortly after, the sugars will turn into acid and damage the tooth enamel, causing decay and eventually tooth loss. When eating, remember that dental crowns are not as strong as dental implants. So don’t use them for chewing hard food or objects.
Lifestyle Choices
Excessive smoking and drinking are harmful to your health and dental implants. Smoking immediately after getting dental implants can also delay recovery. The nicotine in tobacco products slows down the blood clotting process, which is essential in healing. In addition, it can cause dental stains and facilitate bacteria buildup, increasing the chances of wound infection.
On the other hand, consuming alcohol less than three days post-implant surgery can be detrimental to healing. Your body needs time to heal. So taking alcohol shortly after getting dental implants is not advisable since it causes thinning of blood, thereby interfering with the blood clotting process.
Go for Regular Dental Checkups
Dental implants being stronger than natural teeth doesn’t mean they are indestructible. For example, the crowns fitted by your dentist can crack or damage under immense pressure and need repair or replacement. During regular checkups, your dentist in Humble will inspect your dental implants and crowns for signs of damage. They will also do a checkup of your gums and teeth to look for signs of decay, infection, and oral cancer.
How Painful Are Dental Implants?
The fitting of dental implants is done under anaesthesia. Your dentist will adjust the level supplied to your body to ensure you don’t feel any pain during treatment. However, after the treatment is completed, you may experience common side effects like pain, swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. The side effects usually go away with time as the wound heals. We will prescribe painkillers and other drugs to reduce pain and reduce the chances of infection.
Conclusion
Dental implants are reliable and durable teeth replacement options for people with missing teeth. They can last for more than twenty years if well cared for. Therefore, you’ll need to practice good aftercare to prevent your dental implants from failing prematurely. Follow the maintenance tips we’ve provided in this article to learn how to best manage your dental implants. If you have a missing tooth or teeth that need replacing, visit Charm Dental for the best dental implants near you.
