Dental Implants can be a great treatment option for replacing missing teeth in an individual who has lost teeth and is struggling with either loss of function or altered appearance.
In some cases, where appropriate, implants can often be the best possible option for a patient, but this is not always true. Patients must be assessed very carefully by experienced individuals and be given a full explanation for their possible options.
One point that needs to be discussed when deciding which option to choose to replace a missing tooth, regardless the treatment option in question, is how long the possible restoration or type of restoration might last.
Here are some factors that influence the possible longevity of a dental implant restoration:
1. The experience of the surgeon and how well the procedure is carried out.2. The dental implant system that is used.
3. How well a patient looks after their mouth following implant treatment.
4. How regularly a patient attends for prescribed hygiene maintenance of dental implants following the procedure.
5. The material that the dental teeth are constructed from and many other factors beside.
Careful planning and positioning of the implant and its restoration is essential for longevity and providing safe and secure implant treatment with the ability for the patient to clean.
Maintenance, though, is one of the most important indicators in the long-term success of well-placed dental implants.
Maintenance of dental implants begins before treatment in ensuring that a patient’s mouth is as clean and as healthy as possible to accept the dental implant treatment overall. Once this is achieved and dental implant treatment has been carried out, routine maintenance must be attended with experienced individuals to make sure that you’ve had a full ‘MOT and service’ at regular intervals.
This protects the level of investment in the dental implant and gives peace of mind as to how safe and secure things are. It can also benefit the existing surrounding teeth massively.
Maintenance of dental implants can be overlooked but dental implants are not a ‘fit and forget’ restoration and regular maintenance is essential. This involves regular X-Rays of the implant together with professional cleaning and advice on home cleaning.
For different individuals, different schedules for maintenance are required.
Some patients have higher risk of complications than others including smokers and people with previous gum disease and these individuals often need to be seen more regularly.
In simple cases for low numbers of implants once a year can be enough but this can be explained and prescribed by your implant provider and you should ask this carefully and the implications of this before you begin your treatment.
Sadly, some people believe that to have the treatment carried out is all they need to do to secure a tooth for life. This is simply not the case and long-term maintenance of both dental implants and teeth is essential.
If you would like to discuss the maintenance of your implants or you're interested in proceeding with implant treatment, contact us to see what your options are.
