Seven Tips to Help Prolong the Life of Your Dental Implants

When you’ve experienced tooth loss, you will want to find the most successful tooth restoration option to replace your teeth. At Ferrari & Aldieri Dental Associates, our dental team uses dental implants to help our patients restore their smiles in Farmingdale, NY. Tooth loss affects more than just how your smile looks, but also how you bite, chew, and speak. Some of our patients feel self-conscious because of missing teeth in their smile. With the help of dental implants, we can restore your smile. During a consultation, Dr. Angela Ferrari can examine your teeth and gums to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for implants. We also can discuss dental implant care in connection with the health of implants.

How do dental implants work?

Dental implants are artificial tooth root replacements that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. This makes them a long-term tooth loss solution in Farmingdale, NY. They look natural, which allows our patients to enjoy a better-looking smile with improved oral health simultaneously. When they are inserted into the jaw, osseointegration must occur, a healing process where the bone fuses with the implants. Average healing time for our patients can take anywhere from 2 – 6 months. After Dr. Ferrrari determines that healing is complete, a custom crown is placed atop your implant.

A good candidate for dental implants is someone with:

One or more missing teeth
A strong jawbone that can withstand the necessary healing process
Good overall health
No existing dental issues (if so, they must be resolved before the implant process begins)

The dental implant process

There are three parts to the dental implant process in Farmingdale, NY:

Planning: During the planning phase, our team determines if you’re a candidate. Some of our patients may need a bone graft for proper support before an implant can be used.
Placement: During the placement part, your dental implants are surgically placed into your jawbone using local anesthesia. An incision is made at the gumline to insert the posts and your gums are then sutured shut.
Completion: Once the implant and the jawbone heal during osseointegration, the process is complete. We will take X-rays at Ferrari & Aldieri Dental Associates to ensure your implant is in the right place. Once we know it is, we can attach a crown or bridge to the screw.

How long do dental implants last?

Most of our patients ask if their dental implants are permanent. The amount of time that your implants last depends on how well you care for them. An efficient at-home oral hygiene routine with regular brushing and flossing will help keep your smile intact. The location of your implant will also determine how long they will last as teeth in the back receive more pressure than other teeth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to implant failure and gum disease. When they’re maintained well, an implant can last a lifetime. The crown usually lasts up to 15 years.

Tips to help dental implants last

When it comes to making sure your dental implant lasts, follow these tips:

Follow all aftercare instructions: After you get dental implants, you should keep your head elevated and eat a soft food diet for the first 24 hours. Avoid rinsing your mouth the first day after your surgery too.
Use a soft brush: After you get a dental implant, you must switch toothbrushes. A nylon toothbrush with gentle bristles is best for your implants. When it comes to brushing dental implants, avoid using any metal instrument to clean your mouth.
Avoid abrasives: Whether mouthwash or toothpaste, use sensitive products only to maintain your dental implant. Abrasive materials can cause discomfort.
Floss: It’s important that you floss daily, even with dental implants. This is more important than ever as plaque can easily accumulate around your implant. This can lead to tooth decay or periodontal disease. There are many flosses designed specifically for dental implants.
Watch your diet: Avoid eating hard or sticky foods that can damage your implants. Never eat hard candies, ice, caramel, raw vegetables, steak, or crusty bread with implants.
Avoid alcohol and smoking: When it comes to smoking and dental implants, it’s important that you limit alcohol and smoking during the osseointegration healing process. This is because smoking impedes healing in your body. Also, drinking alcohol has been proven to slow down the healing process too.
Schedule regular visits to our office: Maintaining your oral health is important. With proper care and regular dental exams and dental cleanings, your dental implants can last a lifetime.

Learn how dental implants can replace teeth successfully

Dental implants are great for replacing lost teeth in Farmingdale, NY. Patients looking to restore their smile should call our team at Ferrari & Aldieri Dental Associates to schedule a consultation with Dr. Angela Ferrari to learn more about dental implants today.