How to Maintain Your Dental Implants
Maybe you’re reading this because you already have dental implants and want a refresher on how to properly maintain them. Maybe you’re looking into getting them and thinking about what aftercare looks like. Either way, this post will lay out what steps someone who has recently gotten dental implants needs to take to ensure they keep good oral hygiene.
Dental Implant Maintenance
Just as a brief overview, dental implants are an artificial tooth root capped with a prosthetic tooth to restore the look and function of the missing tooth. One significant benefit is they don’t have almost any unique maintenance; they can be cared for just like natural teeth.
It is important to make sure you are brushing twice a day and flossing once daily to ensure bacteria and plaque don’t build up around your dental implant. Our dentist may recommend more frequent appointments so they can check-in and monitor the status of your implant, at least for the first year or two.
Osseointegration
When you lose a tooth if it’s not replaced within a certain timeframe, your body will start to break down the bone in that area to send the nutrients elsewhere. However, dental implants prevent this by fusing with the jawbone through a process known as . The whole process can take anywhere from two months to six months on average but varies from person to person.
Can I eat normally with my dental implants?
It’s true that because dental implants function like normal teeth they allow you to eat normally. However, your mouth and the specific area of your procedure need time to recover and heal. During this time it is best to eat soft foods and avoid anything hard or sticky. The recovery period varies from person to person but for the vast majority, it’s three days to two weeks.
Proper Bite
Once the dental implant has healed in the bone, the implant dentist will attach a crown to the implant to bring it into bite with the opposite teeth. Proper bite of the dental implant crown is important to make sure that the alignment and amount of pressure are right so the implant is not overloaded.
Sometimes the implant dentist will recommend additional implants or restorations to make sure that the forces of biting are evenly distributed among all the teeth.
How long should my dental implants last?
Dental implants are considered to be the strongest tooth replacement option and therefore last longer than dental bridges and . Dental implants can last anywhere from about 20 years to the rest of your life depending on the quality of care you give them, bone density, and the condition of your oral health,
Schedule an Appointment
Whether you need to schedule a check-in after receiving dental implants or to start the process of getting them, you can call (888) 932-8669 to schedule an appointment with one of our dental implant specialists.