5 Habits that are detrimental to your dental implants
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Dental implants are the right solution to replace a single missing tooth or multiple teeth. The implant teeth are highly rigid because of the implant post’s (made up of titanium) anchorage with the bone around the implants. The impediment of jaw bone makes the implant teeth strong and highly durable.
A tooth implant can last for years. We have seen many implant teeth fixed by our dentists are still in place even after 10 years. Meanwhile, some implants cannot last longer and fall out within a few months or years.
Such mishaps in implant teeth happen due to a number of reasons. Poor craftsmanship in fixing implants, Peri-Implantitis are the main causes of implant failure. Besides these, certain habits also weaken the bone around the implant posts and make the implants fall out earlier.
In this post, we have explained some of those habits which threaten the life of dental implants.
1) Bruxism (or) Teeth Grinding
The habit of grinding or clenching the teeth while sleeping will damage your natural teeth. When you grind your teeth, the practice creates an excess of force more than the force exerted when you chew or bite. Such parafunctional habits will break your teeth. It applies to the teeth implants also.
Even though the fixed tooth is artificial, it is fabricated with the advanced materials available which cannot endure such occlusal loading. It causes a crack in the implant tooth or weakens the implant’s bone support.
2) Smoking
Smoking is not a good thing for your teeth and gums. The frequent exposure of tobacco over the gum tissues in the implant site is harmful to inhibit the process of bone formation around the implant posts. Thus smoking impedes the support of bone required to anchor the metallic post.
Likewise, tobacco products increase the risk of Peri-Implantitis. This is a kind of gum disease that occurs in the gum tissues around the dental implants.
It is found that the implant teeth fixed for smokers have a shorter life when compared to non-smokers.
3) Skipping flossing
The implant teeth cannot be infected with oral bacteria but the surrounding tissues are susceptible. The food particles lodged between the teeth increases the risk of plaque builds up on the gum margins.
Whether it is natural teeth or implant fixed teeth, plaque deposition causes gum diseases. Such gum infections deteriorate the underlying bone that holds the teeth.
Apart from smoking, neglecting flossing also provokes Peri-Implantitis in persons who have received dental implants.
4) Using the teeth as an opening tool
Opening bottle caps, chewing nails, biting pencils and other non-foods are also parafunctional habits. Similar to teeth grinding, they also exert excess of force causing occlusal overload. It leads to implant damage or loosening the implants.
5) Skipping regular dental checkups
Even you indulge in effective oral hygiene activities, you might get infected with oral bacteria. Likewise, if there is any underlying problem with your implant teeth, it cannot be identified in the initial stages without dental support. If you care about your implant teeth, then visit your dentist once every 6 months.
Unlike other teeth restoration treatments, the dental implants are imbedded directly into the jaw. Hence they can effectively act like the natural teeth and retain the chewing forces. Along with harmful microbes in the mouth, poor oral habits and certain activities put the implant teeth at risk and question their durability. Avoiding those habits will ensure the longevity of the implants you fixed.
