If you’ve been considering replacing your missing teeth with beautiful, durable dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions! Thankfully, there are plenty of answers out there to help you make what could be one of the best decisions of your life. Here’s a few common queries patients just like you have at the beginning of their dental implant journey, and the answers you need to make an informed decision about your smile!
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
The good news is that with proper care, your new dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime. Because your posts are secured into the jawbone, they should never come out on their own, and when used correctly should not break or become damaged. In fact, the crowns themselves could potentially last decades with proper use.
How Do I Clean My Dental Implants?
For dental implant crowns, bridges, and even some implant dentures, you can use the same methods to clean them as you would with your real teeth. Simply brush them twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dentist for your regular cleanings and exams every six months. For removable implant dentures, you should take them out of your mouth to clean twice a day. Your dentist can provide more detailed care information if you choose these prosthetics.
How Successful Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate of over 95 percent, even ten years after their initial placement. To increase your odds of them lasting a lifetime, be sure maintain excellent oral hygiene, never use them for anything other than chewing food (no biting nails or chewing pen caps), don’t use tobacco products of any kind (yes, that includes vaping) and wear a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth (bruxism).
Can I Smoke After Dental Implant Surgery?
No, it is not recommended that you smoke following your dental implant surgery, as this can increase your odds of implant failure and slow the healing process. It is recommended that you wait for as long as possible to resume smoking again following your procedure, or not at all if possible.
What is Dry Socket, and How Can I Avoid it?
Dry socket is a condition that can occur when the blood clot forming in your surgical site becomes dislodged, exposing the bone and causing extreme pain. It can even leave your mouth vulnerable to infection during the healing process. To prevent it, avoid drinking from a straw or playing with the incision site with your fingers or tongue, and be very careful when brushing and flossing.
How Soon After Implant Placement Can I Get My Crowns?
Once you’ve gotten your dental implant posts placed, it’s natural to be eager to get the crowns placed so you can begin using and showing off your gorgeous new smile. But not so fast! First, your mouth will need to heal, and your implants must fuse with your jawbone via the process of osseointegration. This can take anywhere from three to six months but could be more or less depending on your individual mouth. Then, once your posts are secure, you’ll need a second minor procedure to attach the abutments. While you recover from this (typically over the course of just a few weeks) your final restorations will be crafted at a dental lab, and you’ll return to your dentist’s office one last time to have them attached to the abutments.
Remember, it’s natural to have lots of questions when making a big decision like restoring your smile with dental implants. The good news is your dentist has likely heard them all and is happy to provide you with the answers you need to make an informed decision. To learn more about dental implant treatment and resolve those burning questions, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Our Practice
At Cornerstone Dental, Dr. Majidian and Dr. Nider want you to feel as confident and beautiful on the outside as you do on the inside. That’s why they’re always happy to answer your questions about any treatment they offer, including durable, lifelike dental implants. If you’re ready to restore your gorgeous grin and would like to learn more about these incredible prosthetics, schedule a consultation with us today and get the information you need to make the best choice of your life! You can reach us through our website, or by calling 701-237-3583.