Dental implants in Ajax can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but not surprisingly, many patients have lots of questions about this treatment. The most commonly asked question is how long dental implants can last.
Many dental implants in Whitby will last 10 years or more, and the survival rate for this period is typically 95% or higher. Lots of patients will enjoy their dental implants for longer; their longevity depends on several factors.
Some of these factors are within your control, so understanding them can help you gain the most benefit from this treatment. Firstly, let’s take a quick look at what a dental implant is and how it works.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant in Pickering typically has three components: a small implant screw or post made from titanium alloy or zirconia. This is surgically inserted into the jaw where it behaves like a replacement tooth root.
The implant is specially treated to encourage bone growth around it, a process called osseointegration, which takes several months to complete fully.
A connector called an abutment is attached to the implant screw. This protrudes above the gum line.
The final component is the implant restoration, which may be a single-implant crown. Two or more implants can hold a nonremovable bridge or support an implant denture that can be snapped in and out of the mouth easily for cleaning.
How to Help Ensure Your Dental Implants Last Longer
Factors that influence the longevity and long-term health of your dental implant include:
- Your choice of implant dentist.
- Ongoing oral care.
- Oral habits.
- Lifestyle habits.
Your Choice of Implant Dentist
Choosing the right implant dentist in Oshawa is essential as implant treatment is technique-sensitive and must be carefully planned. At Durham Dental Solutions, our dentists have decades of implantology skills and experience between them, teaching dental implant techniques to other dental professionals.
We have planned and placed many dental implants successfully, including more complex treatments such as full-mouth reconstruction in Bowmanville.
Our comfortable dental office is equipped with all the technology required to computer plan and place each implant. Our meticulous attention to detail helps ensure a more successful long-term outcome.
Ongoing Oral Care
Once implants are inserted, you must properly care for them. Although they may be artificial, never forget they are surrounded by living tissues that, without proper care, can easily become infected.
Your oral care routine should include excellent daily dental care, and our hygiene team can teach you how to thoroughly clean around your implants. It’s also essential to come and see us regularly for dental checkups and hygiene appointments.
During these checkups, we can assess the health of your implants by evaluating the bone levels around them and ensuring the tissues remain healthy, strong, and free from infection. Hygiene appointments are important so we can clean your implants professionally with specialized tools designed for implants.
Oral Habits
Certain oral habits, in particular bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding), can damage dental implants. Bruxism is a condition that needs treatment before dental implants in Bowmanville can be placed.
If you develop bruxism after dental implant surgery in Clarington, it’s essential to get treatment. This may be as simple as wearing a custom-made night guard.
Lifestyle Habits
One lifestyle habit that can damage dental implants in Brooklin is smoking. You will be advised to quit smoking during implant treatment and preferably for good.
Smoking makes it much harder to heal and fight infection. Also, if you want to enjoy good oral health, it’s essential to have a healthy diet containing all the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain good dental health.
