One of the best things about dental implants is their longevity. They have the potential to last a lifetime! Of course, whether or not they reach that potential depends on a number of factors, many of which you have a degree of control over. On this page, we’ll talk about some simple things you can do to protect your restored smile and greatly reduce the risk that your dental implants will fail.
One of the most common causes of dental implant failure is an infection called peri-implantitis. It occurs when harmful bacteria invade and damage the tissue surrounding the implants. Fortunately, most cases of peri-implantitis are preventable via diligent at-home oral hygiene. You should always:
If you ever have any questions about how to clean your mouth at home or which products you should use, your dentist and the hygienists in our office would be happy to coach you.
Physical trauma is another potential cause of dental implant failure. To protect your implants, you should:
Implant-supported teeth cannot get cavities, but that does not excuse you from the need to schedule regular dental appointments. At such appointments, our dental team will clean both your natural teeth and your implant restorations. We may also temporarily remove your restorations to thoroughly clean your implant abutments (the small pieces that connect your implants to your prosthetic teeth).
During your exam, Dr. Cappello will look for any signs of problems with your implants. If he notices any cause for concern, it might be possible to take care of such issues before they pose a serious threat to your smile’s long-term well-being.
Do you have questions about how to help your dental implants stand the test of time? Get in touch with Cappello Family Dental today. Our team is eager to serve you!
