Patients today have more options than ever when considering replacing a missing tooth. Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to infection or accident, it’s imperative that you replace the tooth in a timely manner—both for the appearance and the health of your smile. Dental implants are the premier tooth replacement option on the market today, because they are structurally sound and mimic the composition of natural teeth.
Dental implants are actually small titanium rods that are surgically implanted in the jawbone, filling the space where the tooth root used to be. Dental implants, therefore, permanently replace teeth. Unlike dentures and bridges, they are not removed for cleaning or maintenance.
In order to care for a dental implant, it’s important that you brush and floss at least twice daily—for the most part dental implants simply require the same care as your natural teeth. Of course, this also includes semi-annual professional dental cleanings. During these appointments our Saint Louis dental implant dentists will clean your teeth, remove plaque and tartar, and monitor the stability of your dental implant.
Along with diligent dental hygiene, patients with dental implants should take care to:
Avoid chewing ice or hard candies. If you regularly chew on abrasive, hard substances like ice or hard candies, you could cause small cracks in restorations. Over time these cracks can cause discoloration and cracked dental restorations.
Seek treatment for bruxism. Bruxism is a common condition in which patients clench or grind their teeth. Many patients suffer from bruxism without even realizing it, because they habitually grind their teeth in their sleep. If you notice that your jaw joints or teeth are sore upon waking, seek treatment from you dentist, as this behavior can weak dental implants.
As you can see, with dental implants patients can enjoy strong, beautiful dental implants for years. Give our Saint Louis dental implant dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—(314) 332-1307.