A Parent’s Guide to Emergency Dental Care

Posted on: 28 January 2022

Losing teeth is hard on a person's self-confidence, but this problem is remedied with the insertion of dental implants. However, as with any dental procedure, implants are only successful by following post-implant care advice. Here are three common dental implant failures and tips on how to avoid them happening to you.

Infection

An infection post dental implant is an issue because the implant does not have the opportunity to remain in place while the bone heals around the implant rod. Between 4% to 10% of implants become infected, but infection can easily be avoided by:

1. Not smoking until the implant wound heals
2. Practicing good cleaning hygiene of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash twice a day
3. Alert your dentist immediately of any sign of infection, such as swollen gums or bleeding at the implant site.

Trauma

Trauma is another common reason for dental implant failure. Trauma does not have to be a situation as dramatic as a sports ball knocking the implant site. Trauma can be as simple as chewing a hard piece of candy or ice and the biting action moving the implant out of alignment. While receiving your dental implant at the dentist's office, ask for a list of foods to be avoided during the healing process. These food changes allow the mouth to heal and the dental implant to remain in place.

Failed Osseointegration

Osseointegration is when the insertion of the implant rod into the jaw bone takes place. Once the bone heals around the rod, the implant tooth is attached. Failed osseointegration is the process where the rod falls out before the bone has a chance to grow around and encase it. One reason that failed osseointegration occurs is because of overall poor patient health. Tobacco use, lack of calcium, and alcohol use are factors you can change to increase your bone health. Talk to your dentist about options for increasing calcium in your diet since calcium is critical for keeping the implant firmly in place. Additionally, seek medical help to reduce or stop smoking and drinking so your mouth has the best chance to protect the implant as it sets into place.

For your dental implant to have its best chance at success, you must carefully follow your dentist's instructions for post-insertion care. In addition, if you have any concerns or notice changes within your mouth, you must promptly contact your dentist to seek follow-up instructions. Their advice and these tips offer you the highest chance of dental implant success. For more information about dental implants, contact a dental center like Elite Smile Center.