Yes, there are certain situations when dental implants need to be replaced as specialists in dentistry in Henrico, Drs. Haueis and Christofakis are eminently qualified to place and care for them throughout your life. Fortunately, the things that could occur that would necessitate the replacement of dental implants are rare. It's more common for the crown attached to the implant to need replacement. Regarding dental implants in Henrico, we can best advise you.
What Are Dental Implants Made From?
The anchor of an implant is a titanium post that screws into the bone of your jaw in a socket left by a missing or extracted tooth. The crown, usually ceramic or porcelain, attaches to the post somehow. These items are designed to last at least 25 years for the rest of the person's life.
What Can Cause the Need for Replacement?
Hard, crunchy, and crispy foods threaten even the sturdiest crowns. Take great care when eating these foods. If the crowns on your implants have weakened through eating such hard foods, then sticky foods can cause them to fall apart.
You should quit smoking if you have implants. The smoke can interfere with both blood flow and the oxygen levels of the blood that does flow. Both of these effects can cause gum problems, resulting in complications that affect implant longevity.
There are some medical conditions that can affect implant patients. Notable among these are gingivitis and diabetes, both of which have a detrimental effect on gum health. Poor gums from disease can cause problems with implants in the same way as poor gums from smoking can.
Other things that can cause extra wear that leads to replacement include grinding your teeth, malocclusion, and poor oral hygiene. Grinding can cause tiny imperfections in the crown, which can eventually split or shatter from them. Malocclusion is when your teeth don't line up, and the unevenness can cause the tips of affected crowns to wear faster. And, of course, bad oral hygiene can lead to many problems, such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and even bone infections. To find out more, check out our blog.
The Importance of Regular Dental Care
In addition to taking care of your teeth at home with regular brushing and flossing, you need to take advantage of dentistry in Henrico here at Short Pump Dental. Drs. Christofakis and Haueis are available to give you the care you need, particularly if you have dental implants. Through skillful and conscientious dental care, they can detect problems and discuss treatment options with you. Detecting possible issues early enough can lessen the impact of any necessary treatment.
Conclusion
Dental implants in Henrico can be a terrific way to improve your smile and overall oral health. We put our patient's comfort first and strive to lessen the unease people feel while visiting the dentist. Give us a call today to set up an appointment to talk about dental implants.