3 Reasons Why A Dental Implant May Fail
A dental implant is designed to last just as long as a natural tooth in your mouth. However, there are instances in which a dental implant may fail. If failure does occur, the patient may have to undergo the entire implantation procedure over again. Here are a few reasons that a dental implant may fail:
Too Much Mechanical Pressure
If a dental implant experiences too much pressure, it can eventually be forced out of position. Once the implant becomes loose within the jawbone, the implant will need to be replaced.
Mechanical pressure usually comes from bruxism, or the grinding of the teeth. Bruxism generally occurs at night as the patient is sleeping. As the teeth grind back and forth, large amounts of pressure are placed on the dental implant. The pressure can be severe enough to wear away normal teeth or even to cause cracks or chips. If the teeth grinding has already been diagnosed by a dentist, the patient has likely been prescribed a mouth guard help protect the teeth at night. It is important for patients who have dental implants to never neglect wearing their mouth guard.
Dental implants can also experience great amounts of bite pressure when a patient chews on hard objects, such as ice chips, pencils or even fingernails.
Tobacco Usage
People who regularly use tobacco by smoking or chewing it have a greater chance of dental implant failure. Tobacco is irritating to the soft tissues of the mouth, which can make it difficult for the tissues to heal around the implantation wound site. In addition, tobacco can increase the likelihood of infection.
After a dental implant is placed, the dentist is likely to prescribe antibiotics. However, every effort should be made to avoid an infection.
Tobacco users should be sure to refrain from tobacco use during and shortly before the placement of the dental implant. The healing process for the dental implants usually takes a couple of months, so it is important that tobacco not be used during that period.
Unstable Blood Sugar
A dental implant can also fail due to problems caused by unstable blood sugar. Blood sugar that fluctuates widely can make it difficult for a wound to heal, and it increases the likelihood of infection. People who have been diagnosed with unstable blood sugar should follow the diet and exercise regimen recommended by their physician.
If you are considering a dental implant and would like to learn more ways to help ensure its success, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area.
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