Today, Dental Implants have become so fine-tuned that they hold one of the highest success rates of all in-bone implant types – nearly 97%.
One of the reasons that modern Dental Implants are such a wise investment is that they are designed to last for a lifetime. However, as with any procedure that involves an implant in human bone, there is an element of risk.
Although not a frequent occurrence, removing an implant means the patient has lost their investment and must endure additional procedures and expenses for repair and replacement. But, it is the patient who plays an important role in helping to minimize this risk.
One of the most important factors in any successful medical or dental procedure begins with the doctor who coordinates your care. Your doctor should never be selected based on the lowest fee. The doctor chosen should have training and experience in the diagnosis and placement of all implant types in order to select the system most appropriate for your individual needs.
In selecting your doctor, you should also look for a good track record in the placement of implants. Successful placement relies on the ability to assess for adequate bone mass to support an implant without interfering with adjacent structures.
Obviously, a qualified doctor can enhance your potential for a successful outcome. While the doctor involved in your treatment is important, much of the risk falls into the patient’s hands after the placement process.
Patients can improve their potential to have a successful outcome almost immediately. When the implants are placed, the patient should closely follow their post-op instructions. For most patients, we recommend they eat cool, soft foods for the first few days. This helps to keep swelling and bleeding to a minimum and enables the gum tissues to heal faster around the incision sites, which helps to lower infection risk.
Once home, other factors can also put your implants at risk. For smokers, their risk for implant failure is high because of the chemicals in cigarette smoke. These are drying to oral tissues and delay the healing process. The longer the sites take to heal, the greater the risk for infection to set in.
A surprising but destructive force to Dental Implant success is grinding or clenching your teeth. Also known as bruxing, teeth clinching and grinding is a common symptom of bite misalignment. As a matter of fact, the force of clenching can be so intense it can be similar to that used to crack a walnut. Signs of clenching or grinding are worn, chipped or broken teeth. If you suspect you grind or clench, mention this prior to treatment so corrective measures can resolve the problem.
Most important of all is the patient’s commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene. Even though Dental Implants do not experience decay, the gum tissues and bone supporting the implants are as susceptible to oral bacteria as before. When oral bacteria infection is able to move its way down the implant sites, the only option for ridding the infection may involve removal of the implant.
Having Dental Implants will require you to be more committed than ever to your at-home oral hygiene regimen. We may also schedule your dental cleanings to occur every four months rather than twice a year. These visits allow our hygienist to remove accumulated bacteria in your mouth and around implant sites.
In our office, we are very proud of the success rate our implant patients enjoy. When adults are able to regain the ability to bite, chew and laugh with confidence, we are as thrilled as they are! We want every patient to have a confident smile for a lifetime!
If you’ve considered Dental Implants, let’s discuss the types that may be best for you. Call toll free 1-866-9-Smiles to arrange a consultation. We’ll discuss the various options available in today’s implant dentistry as well as anticipated costs and payment options.
