Considering Dental Implants? Here’s What you Should Know

When your teeth are missing — whether it’s just one tooth or every tooth in your mouth — dental implants may be a good option for teeth replacement. However, dental implants are a permanent teeth replacement solution — so they’re not something you just jump into. By learning more about dental implants, you can work with Dr. Brazdo to decide if they’re right for you. Today on the blog, we’ll tell you what you need to know about dental implants.

Who’s a Dental Implant Candidate?

Before you can get dental implants, Dr. Brazdo will perform a complete dental and radiographic exam to determine whether you’re a good candidate for this type of restoration. Some of the main things that play into candidacy for dental implants include:

• A Strong and Healthy Jaw: Because dental implants rely on the jaw bone for support, it’s vital that you have a strong and healthy jaw. If you’ve had jaw disease in the past, or you’ve ever had a portion of your jaw removed, you might not be a dental implant candidate.
• Strong and Healthy Gums: While the jaw provides most of the support for the implant’s frame, your gums also play a vital role in dental implants. The gums help hold the prosthetic tooth (and the crown that tops it) into place securely.
• Good Overall Health: One of the things that Dr. Brazdo will discuss with you during dental implant evaluation is your overall health and wellness. Current or past serious illnesses may impact your candidacy, but even if dental implants won’t work for you there’s another solution like dentures that might work well.

If you have a healthy jaw, healthy gums, and you want a maintenance free type of teeth replacement, dental implants might just be the answer that you’ve been looking for.

How Long do Dental Implants Really Last?

The main part of the dental implant — the metal frame — is permanent. Because it’s surgically implanted and made from a super-strong biocompatible metal (titanium,) your dental implants will likely last for your entire lifetime with proper care.

The only component of a dental implant that’s not likely to last a lifetime is the crown that tops the prosthetic tooth. As with any crown, the porcelain or porcelain composite slowly wears down over the years. Therefore, you might need to have the crown part of the dental implant replaced after 10-20 years.

The Care of Your New Dental Implants: What You Need to Know

Taking care of your dental implants is remarkably easy. In fact, for the most part you’ll treat them just as you treat your natural teeth. Stick to a twice a day brushing routine, including flossing.

Opt for a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft bristle toothbrush to avoid scratching to surface of the crowns. Be careful when flossing. Hard jerks or tugs could potentially loosen your dental implant crown, although it’s extremely unlikely to cause any problems for the implant itself.

Of course, it’s also important to keep up with your yearly or twice-yearly (depending on Dr. Brazdo’s recommendations) dental check-ups. During your regular check-up, Dr. Brazdo will evaluate your dental implants to make sure they’re still stable and fully functional.

Ready to Consider Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an excellent option for many patients who just want to have a natural appearance along with normal teeth functionality. Dental implants look so natural that many people say they can’t tell the difference between an implant and a natural tooth right next to it. If you think dental implants might be right for you, the Artistic Touch Dentistry team is ready to help.

Artistic Touch Dentistry is proud to serve the Melbourne, Florida area, providing dental exams, preventative care, routine dental care, teeth cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and advanced dental restorations like dental implants. Call the Artistic Touch Dentistry office to schedule a visit — we’re honored that you’ve chosen us as your Melbourne dentist.