While preserving your natural dentition and smile is the primary goal of modern dentistry, tooth extractions are inevitable in some cases, and finding appropriate replacements or substitutes is vital. The advancement of technology, tissue engineering, and surgical techniques makes dental implants one of the most suitable and preferred teeth replacement options.
When a skilled dentist performs the dental implant placement procedure well, the devices could last for several years, allowing you to enjoy the full functions of your teeth. Although dental implants are an excellent long-term solution for missing teeth, no dental procedure or treatment is 100% successful. However, most dental implant-related issues are avoidable.
Hence, familiarizing yourself with common dental implant-related issues and how to avoid them is a wise idea if you are considering dental implants or have just received them to restore your teeth functions and smile appearance.
What are the Common Dental Implant Issues I Need to Know?
A dental implant is a medical device that your dentist surgically implants in your jawbone to act as roots for an artificial tooth or dental crown. Before we discuss how to avoid dental implant-related issues, you would want to know what these issues are in the first place. Below are common dental implant issues you could experience after your treatment:
- Infections
- Gum recession
- Implant failure
- Nerve damage
- Allergic reactions
- Loose implants
While these issues are rare, some patients could experience them after receiving their dental implants, but they are avoidable. If you have experienced any of these issues after receiving your dental implants, early intervention is key, meaning you should speak with your dentist as soon as possible.
How to Avoid the Above Common Dental Implant Problems
Preventing or avoiding dental implant-related problems is vital to ensuring the long-term success and full functionality of your new implants. Here are tips to help you reduce the risks of experiencing these dental implant-related issues:
Choose a Competent Dentist for Dental Implant Placement
One of the most crucial steps to avoiding dental implant-related problems is choosing a competent dentist for the procedure. Before you consent to a dental implant, you should ensure your dentist is familiar with possible complications or issues you can experience after this treatment.
While a general dentist can perform a dental implant placement procedure, an oral surgeon’s services are vital for complicated cases. Naturally, you are more likely to feel comfortable and have peace of mind when you know you have a well-trained and experienced dentist ready to offer you the best dental implant placement services.
Additionally, a well-experienced and trained dentist is more unlikely to make mistakes during your dental implant placement surgery, meaning the chances of experiencing any of the above mentioned issues or complications will be minimal.
You save yourself unnecessary hardships when you choose a competent dentist to perform your dental implant placement surgery. For instance, an inexperienced dentist could install your implants incorrectly, causing delayed osseointegration.
Osseointegration is the natural process by which dental implants fuse with your jawbone after installation to give you a natural-looking smile. If this process fails due to the incompetency of your dentist, there is a high chance you could experience bothersome pain and infections after the procedure. Aside from being experienced, ensure the dentist you choose for dental implant placement surgery is:
- Credible and reputable
- Well licensed
- Available and easily accessible
- A member of related professional bodies
- Pocket-friendly
Disclose Your Medical and Health History to the Dentist
Like any other surgical procedure, disclosing your complete medical history to your dentist is essential before dental implant placement surgery. Your complete medical history in this context means all your allergic reactions, general body health, and medications you are on, including prescription and herbal drugs.
If you are allergic to certain medications, like those used as sedatives during the surgery, you should let your dentist know to allow him/her to create an appropriate treatment plan. Also, some medications, like anti-inflammatory drugs and diabetic medications, could interfere with the effectiveness of anesthesia.
Anesthesia is the medication your dentist uses to numb your area of incision before the surgery to reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure. Some drugs, like blood thinners, including ibuprofen and aspirin, could also increase your risk of excessive bleeding during the surgery. Before your initial appointment with your dentist, you should prepare a list of current medications and give it to him/her.
Your medical and health history should also include your past medical conditions. For instance, if you were previously diagnosed with low bone density or osteoporosis, a medical condition that reduces the density of your bones, you should disclose this to your dentist.
That way, your dentist will know whether or not bone grafts are necessary to improve your jawbone strength before placing or installing your dental implants for a strong bite and improved smile appearance.
Ensure You are an Excellent Candidate for a Dental Implant Procedure
Unfortunately, not every patient is an excellent candidate for dental implants. Your dentist or oral surgeon will want to ensure you are meeting the basic requirements listed below before he/she gives you the green light for this vital treatment:
- Your gums are healthy
- You are not a child
- You are not pregnant
- You can stay on top of your dental and oral health
- You do not have bruxism (teeth-grinding disorder)
If you have gum disease, your dentist will recommend treatment of this condition before receiving your dental implants because this issue could affect the firmness of your new implants.
Follow Your Dentist’s Aftercare Instructions
After dental implant placement surgery, your dentist will give you home-based aftercare tips and guidelines to protect yourself from injuries, infections, gum inflammation, and anything that can affect the effectiveness of your dental implant.
Undoubtedly, most people who experience issues with their dental implants after installation link these issues with failure to follow their dentist’s instructions. One of the most crucial guidelines you should adhere to is avoiding crunchy and hard foods, like nuts, for a certain period.
Once your dental implant naturally integrates with your jawbone, your dentist will let you know when you can resume eating the crunchy foods you like.
Since avoiding these foods can create a significant nutritional gap, a reliable dentist can recommend other soft food alternatives you can incorporate into your diet to avoid missing vital nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Examples of these foods include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Leafy greens
- Eggs
- Yogurt
When necessary, your dentist could also recommend a reliable nutritionist you can consult for guidance on appropriate and healthy foods you can consume before your dental implants become firm enough to withstand the pressure of chewing hard foods.
While the urge and temptation to munch on your favorite foods will be constant, you must uphold self-discipline during this period and consider the potential consequences of consuming these hard and crunchy foods.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will also insist that you stick to the prescribed medications for the required period. Most medications your dentist will recommend after receiving your dental implant(s) help reduce pain and keep infections at bay. Even though you could feel like you do not need these medications after a few days, completing your full dosage is a wise idea.
Sticking to your dentist’s directives and instructions after receiving a dental implant can help you avoid the common issues mentioned above and the possibility of undergoing a re-installation procedure.
Quit Smoking After Receiving Your Dental Implant
Aside from avoiding crunchy and hard foods, the dentist or oral surgeon will also recommend you refrain from smoking or using any tobacco-related products. According to research, people who smoke are at higher risk of dental implant failure. Even if you do not have a dental implant, smoking or chewing tobacco products can affect your oral and dental health in many ways.
In addition to causing teeth discoloration, smoking can lessen blood flow to your mouth, particularly the incision site. That means the healing and integration of the implant with the jawbone could take longer. Inhaling cigarette fumes can also expose the incision site and your jawbones to exceedingly high temperatures. This exposure can also weaken your gums, making your dental implant loose and likely to fall off.
Generally speaking, smoking is an unhealthy habit that not only affects your teeth and dental implants but could also affect your general health. The sooner you quit the habit, the better to stay on top of your dental and oral health.
Stick to Your Daily Oral Care Routine
Another obvious and surefire way to avoid issues with your dental implant is to maintain a regular dental and oral care routine. After a successful dental implant placement surgery, you can keep infections and other dental issues at bay by flossing and brushing your teeth at least twice daily.
Since your gums are often tender after dental implant surgery, your dentist will recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your teeth for the first few weeks to avoid injuring the incision site. If there are specific toothbrush brands ideal for brushing teeth after a dental implant placement surgery, your dentist will recommend one you can choose.
Your dentist could also recommend using antibacterial mouthwash to rinse your mouth whenever you brush your teeth to lessen the chances of developing an infection after the procedure.
Know the Type of Dental implants You Would Want
Familiarizing yourself with various types of dental implants is also a wise idea if you want to avoid unnecessary issues after installation. After your research, the information you will find can help you create a custom maintenance plan to help you stay on top of your dental and oral health after receiving your dental implants.
Depending on your preferences and the severity of your unique condition, your dentist could recommend any of the following types of dental implants:
- Endosteal implants
- Subperiosteal implants
- Zygomatic implants
- All-on-4 implants
Prior research of the available dental implants helps you know what to expect throughout the treatment process and how to care for the specific implant your dentist will recommend.
Attend All Your Follow-Up Appointments With Your Dentist
While it could seem unnecessary, follow-up sessions or appointments with your dentist could help avoid unnecessary issues with your new dental implants. Attending all your follow-up appointments after receiving a dental implant helps your dentist track the healing process.
During your follow-up appointments, your dentist can also examine the implants and your general oral health to determine whether there is any sign of infection. If any, your dentist will offer appropriate treatment before it becomes severe, keeping you on top of your dental and oral health.
Most dental implant-related issues could be challenging to detect with your untrained eye because they are not painful, especially during their onset or initial stages. Without follow-up appointments to detect and treat these issues as soon as they emerge, you could experience unnecessary complications with your dental implants.
Your follow-up appointments with your dentist also allow you to discuss your unusual observations and concerns since the installation of the dental implants. By asking your dentist pertinent and relevant questions during your follow-up appointment, you can avoid making decisions that could impact your healing process after receiving dental implants.
An interactive session with your dentist during these follow-up appointments can also reassure you about the recovery process because sometimes it can be unnecessarily long. The number of follow-up appointments you will need to schedule with your dentist will depend on the severity of your condition and the specific type of implant you received.
Find a Lakewood Dentist Near Me
What you do after a dental implant installation procedure can significantly affect the success of this treatment. That is particularly true if you lack insight and professional recommendations on avoiding issues with your dental implants after a successful procedure.
If you are considering dental implants, our dentists at The Lakewood Dentist would gladly offer this life-changing treatment to maintain your dental health and improve your smile’s appearance. We invite you to call us at 562-423-1441 for an obligation-free consultation with one of our reliable and seasoned dentists.