Good Teeth: They Don't Have to Be in Your Genes

A dental implant is an amazing option to replace missing teeth. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, implants use the jawbone to support the implant. Dental implants are incredibly durable, but they still need regular care. In some cases, they may even need restoration. If you would like to know more about dental implant maintenance and restoration, keep reading.

How Do You Maintain Your Dental Implant?

You maintain your dental implant the same way you maintain your normal teeth: with good oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing removes the plaque around the dental implant, preventing it from becoming hard tartar, which can only be safely removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Because the tooth's crown and root are artificial, it can't succumb to tooth decay. However, the gums around the implant may become irritated from bacteria and tartar, which can cause gum disease.

What About the Dental Crown?

The dental crown experiences the most wear and tear because it helps grind food, exposing it to the pressure of your bite. For this reason, about 50 to 80 percent of crowns need to be replaced after 15 to 20 years. In most cases, the titanium root implant can last the rest of your life.  

What Is Peri-implantitis?

If gum disease forms near the implant, it's referred to as peri-implantitis. Like regular gum disease, your gums may start to bleed and become red. If left untreated, the gum tissue may recede or die. Eventually, this exposes the artificial tooth root.

Gum disease is often caused by lots of plaque and tartar, but some factors increase your risk. Smoking and diabetes, for example, affect your healing and circulatory system. As a result, your gums heal slower to irritation and bacteria, allowing the disease to spread faster.

Treatment is like treatment for any form of gum disease. First, the dentist will treat the infection, which allows the gums to start healing. Your body can repair minor damage, but severe gum loss or recession will require surgical grafts to keep the implant. Neglecting to treat gum disease significantly increases the risk of implant failure. If the disease also caused bone loss, you may need a bone graft to strengthen the jawbone.

Dental implants are the most durable way to replace a missing tooth. Since they use your jawbone directly, they stimulate it, helping prevent the risk of tooth loss in the future. If you would like more information about dental implant restoration, contact a dentist in your area today.