Dental implants are used to provide a base for a restoration to replace one or more teeth lost due to dental trauma, infection, gum disease, or to replace teeth that never emerged properly.
The implant is made from titanium, a metal that is known for its ability to fuse with bone. In addition, titanium is generally well accepted by body tissue to decrease the chance of rejection.
The restoration itself is usually porcelain, a material that is strong and stain resistant. Since it is not a living organism, it cannot develop decay. The entire natural tooth is either removed or has been lost so concerns for cavities are for surrounding biological teeth, not the restoration.
Your dentist will have thoroughly investigated your dental and overall health before going ahead with the dental implant procedure. This is a critical step in determining the outcome of this process.
Placing an implant demands certain requirements … sufficient bone to fuse with the implant (lack of bone does not necessarily negate the procedure, but may require an initial step to supplant bone with either a natural or synthetic bone material to promote bone growth where needed). This is where concerns regarding gum disease may play a role in qualifying for a dental implant.
Gum disease can deplete the bone in gum tissue which can lead to implant failure. If your dentist has determined your candidacy for dental implants, you will need to carefully follow all the instructions given to aid in a successful outcome.
Healthy patient … if the patient is healthy enough for teeth to be extracted without concern, that is generally sufficient enough to move forward. Any chronic diseases or illnesses that might impact the outcome will be thoroughly vetted.
Patient commitment … The patient must understand that a dental implant can take months from start to finish. They must be vigilant in keeping the implant area clean; infection can result in implant failure. Tobacco use is highly discouraged as smoking is another leading cause of implant failure.
While gum disease and dental decay can impact surrounding natural teeth, once the implant is healed and the restoration has been placed, the patient can control what happens going forward. Daily brushing and flossing coupled with dental visits every six months will help keep teeth, gums, and dental implants healthy for life.
To learn more about dental implants or other tooth replacement solutions, contact Balcones Family Dental at 512-200-7422 today.