Dental implants often prove the optimal tooth replacement option. Why? Well, they can provide life-long solutions for patients with missing teeth. Unlike dental bridges and dentures, which may need replacing as frequently as every five years, the core structure of a dental implant should last for the rest of your life. But can dental implants be replaced?
Can Dental Implants Be Replaced?
The only part that may need replacing is the crown. The crown is the visible portion of the dental implant above the gum line. These prosthetic teeth typically come from porcelain, giving them a realistic feel and look. Unfortunately, they do usually need replacing every 15 to 20 years as a result of normal wear and tear.
The good news is that placing a crown over an existing dental implant is a straightforward procedure. The rest of your dental implant, including the post and abutment should last for the rest of your days as long as the initial procedure goes according to plan. Fortunately, with an established success rate of 90 to 98% depending on the location in the jaw, it is very unlikely that your dental implant will fail as long as you follow your dentist’s instructions.
Preparing for a Dental Implant
Dental implants are directly anchored into the jawbone, so your dentist at Coastland Dental in Burbank will want to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure prior to moving forward. This evaluation usually occurs in an office visit and typically consists of a visual inspection as well as x-rays. Thanks to their professional training, the inspection and x-rays will show your dentist whether your gums and jawbone are healthy enough to sustain a dental implant.
Are your gums infected or have you had substantial bone loss? Then you will not immediately find yourself eligible for a dental implant. The risk of failure is too high, and your dentist’s first priority is your health and safety. Patients who aren’t immediately ready to start the process may address these issues by receiving treatment for gum disease or a bone graft. The availability of these options will entirely depend on the current state of your gums and jawbone. So they may not end up right for all patients.
Increasing the Chance of Success
Dental implants have a stellar success rate, but that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong. Once the initial procedure has been completed, it’s entirely up to you to protect your health by following instructions. So when you do go to get your dental implants in Burbank don’t hesitate to ask questions or take notes as your dentist discusses post-surgical care. You will have precise cleaning instructions, dietary restrictions, and activity limitations. Follow them carefully because deviation could ultimately result in the painful failure of your dental implant. As long as you listen and take care, the worst you’ll experience is some discomfort and swelling, which you’ll have medication for.
When to Suspect Failure
As long as you’re keeping the area clean and not putting pressure on the area, your dental implant should not fail. However, if you’ve been a bit cavalier, you could increase the risk of dental implant failure. During the initial stages of healing, the easiest way to identify dental implant failure is through pain. You should be able to easily manage your discomfort post-surgery with the medications provided by your dentist. Have you ever experienced intense pain that doesn’t seem to respond to the medications prescribed to you. Then it may prove time to call your dentist.
In later stages, pain is still the primary indicator of possible failure, but you should also look for:
- Increased swelling
- Micromovements by the installed implant
- Gum recession
These are classic signs of infection or a loose post. So you will want to contact your dentist as soon as possible.