Facts You Need to Know That Impact Dental Implant Failure and Success

There are significant technological advancements that have been achieved in the dentistry field that has revolutionized the way we combat with the loss of our teeth. One of these advancements is, for instance, the use of all on 4 implants by periodontics to remedy severe tooth loss.

Dental implants generally refer to metallic posts that are surgically inserted into your jawbone, creating an artificial root system for a ceramic, natural-looking crown that is usually screwed on top of the metallic post.

This surgical implantation of these artificial teeth has revolutionized the field of periodontics entirely, giving several patients who had to rely on dentures and bridges a chance to experience a stress free mode of permanent tooth replacement.

However, for these implants to permanently transform your smile, the surgical process has to be a success. You have to heal and readjust into being able to use the new implants.

This is not always the case. Some factors will significantly influence the success and failure of this surgical procedure.

Dental Implant Factor

Some key factors influence the successful integration of your dental implants. For your implant to work as it should, it needs to integrate with the rest of your natural teeth and function just like they do.

Some of the critical factors that influence this integration include:

• Biocompatibility

The implants consist of a titanium root system that is surgically inserted into your jaw bone. For this metal bit to fuse with your bone, there has to be biocompatibility between the foreign metal bit and your natural jaw bone structure.

It has been discovered that some individuals end up rejecting the implants. When your bone fails to fuse with the implant, perhaps due to being allergic to titanium and so on, rejection may happen.

In case biocompatibility is not achieved, our dentist can help you select dental implants that have been made from alternative compounds other than titanium. Allowing your jawbone to fuse with your implant, heal, and function like it should.

• Osseointegration

Osseointegration in dentistry refers to the process by which your implant attempts to merge with your jaw bone and become a permanent part of it.

The metallic root of your implant has small microscopic holes on the surface that provide space for your osteoblast cells and tissues to fill up and cement or anchor the implant into the jawbone surface.

Osseointegration can be hampered if the jaw bone surface, on which the implant is being attached to is damaged in any way during the surgical process. Also, factors such as surgical conditions and the chemical composition of the implant can greatly influence osseointegration.

It is vital to work with a periodontics expert like ours to ensure that the surgical procedure is carried out in a manner that will not interfere with your healing process in any way.

Implant Success and Failure

Other than the factors mentioned earlier, some more issues can determine whether your implants will successfully function or fail.

• Poor Dental Hygiene

You need to ensure that you practice proper dental hygiene post-surgery, to cut back on the risks of infections that may lead to your implant failing to heal and function.

After the surgery, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and food particles in your mouth that can lead to periodontal infections around or within the surgical site.

• Smoking

Smoking has been known to impede blood flow to your gums, thereby drastically slowing down your healing process after the surgery.

Smoking, therefore, may increase your chances of implant failure by over 20 percent.

• Active Gum Infections

You have to ensure that any gum infections you have get treated and clear before you have your surgery because not doing so increase your chances of developing an infection on the implant site post-surgery.

• Other Preexisting Medical Conditions

Medical conditions, such as diabetes, can cause your body to heal at a slower rate than usual, and this may negatively impact your healing process and osseointegration.

It is, therefore, essential to disclose to our dental surgeon any preexisting medical condition you may have and medication you are on before the surgery to find ways to combat the effects beforehand.

• Osteoporosis or Bone Loss

You need to ensure that you begin addressing this issue before the surgery so that the implant can have enough bone surface to attach itself to and integrate.

Above all else, working with an experienced dental surgeon can go a long way in guaranteeing your surgery success. At Mercado Dental Care, our experienced dentists and staff are equipped and ready to ensure your implant surgery will be a phenomenal success.