A dental implant is a rod or screw that is inserted into the jawbone where the roots of the missing tooth once were. The device serves as a stable foundation for other devices that are used to replace the crowns of lost teeth.
Implants offer multiple benefits, such as a natural appearance, the stimulation of jawbone tissues, and the ability to withstand a large degree of bite pressure. While an implant rarely fails, the device is only useful if it remains in place.
Here are a few measures that you can take to maintain your implant properly.
Use an Oral Irrigator
An oral irrigator is used to flush debris from the gingival tissues and interdental spaces surrounding an implant. The device releases a concentrated stream of water that the user directs toward the teeth. The force of the water dislodges trapped food particles and plaque.
When food or plaque becomes caught in the tissues surrounding an implant, the gums become inflamed. This inflammation can lead to periimplantitis, a form of gum disease that occurs in the gums that border a dental implant.
If periimplantitis is not resolved and the implant wound is still healing, it can prevent the stabilization of the implant and cause implant failure.
Have Damaged Crowns Replaced
During a single-tooth, implant-based restoration, the dental implant is covered by an abutment that attaches to a dental crown. In some cases, an implant crown may become chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged, while the implant remains fully intact. The dentist can replace the crown without disturbing the implant.
A damaged crown should be replaced to ensure that the device continues to cover the implant and distribute bite force properly. A dental implant that encounters bite forces that are much larger than normal may shift from its initial positioning in the bone. Once the implant has moved, its stabilization is lost, and the implant cannot reintegrate with the bone tissue. As a result, the implant fails.
Protect Your Mouth While Playing Sports
Contact sports can cause the loss of a natural tooth or the failure of an implant. To keep your implant safe, it is important to protect it by wearing a sports guard.
A sports guard is shock-absorbent. Additionally, the device is custom-designed to fit the contours of your individual mouth, so it can be worn comfortably.
To learn more about dental implants and their proper maintenance, schedule a consultation with a dental provider in your local area.
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