3 Conditions That Can Hinder Your Dental Implant From Healing Properly

Posted on: 6 October 2015

A dental implant is used to replace a missing tooth. The implant is the most natural dental replacement option because it replaces the root and crown of the tooth, instead of just the crown. Curing the implantation, a metal screw is inserted into the jawbone of the patient. The screw eventually fuses with the bone to form a stable base for the crown. After about two to four months of healing, an abutment is placed so the crown can be connected to the implant screw. Once the crown has been affixed, the dental implant should function like a natural tooth. 

Most dental implants are placed without incident. However, there are conditions that can hinder the healing process and cause the implantation to fail. Here are a few:

Diabetes

If you are a diabetic, your implant failure rate is not automatically higher than that of a person without diabetes. However, if you do not control your blood sugar, your failure rate could increase. 

Diabetics who receive a dental implant should be sure to follow the dietary and medicinal guidelines of their physician. Since a diabetic may have a difficult time overcoming an infection, the dentist may prescribe a longer course of antibiotics to discourage bacterial growth at the site of the wound. 

Smoking

The wounds of smokers don't heal as quickly as those of nonsmokers. If the jawbone does not heal quickly or fuse properly with the implant screw, the dental implant will fail. 

If you smoke and would like to have a dental implant placed, your dentist may ask you to stop smoking months before your scheduled procedure. 

Bruxism

Bruxism is the grinding of the teeth. It usually occurs at night as one sleeps, so a person who suffers from bruxism may not even realize when the tooth-grinding occurs. However, a dentist will be able to recognize the visible wear on the teeth and prescribe a mouth guard that can protect the teeth at night. 

The pressure that is placed on a dental implant as one grinds his or her teeth can be severe enough to cause the implant to shift. If you grind your teeth and plan to have a dental implant, be sure to wear your mouth guard regularly.

If you have a missing tooth that you would like to have restored with a dental implant, discuss your medical conditions with your dentist. He or she will be able to offer instructions to help you avoid complications. For more information, contact Dental Images or a similar organization.

Share

Providing Children With Dental Knowledge

When my three children were young, they were all excited to go to the dentist. The dentist's office was great fun with a large fish tank and a variety of puzzle toys in the waiting room. I liked the pediatric dental office so much that I jumped at the chance when I was offered a receptionist job. Many of the children who came to see the dentist were not nearly as happy as my children. Most kids were scared and anxious, and I learned fairly quickly that the children were worried because they had no idea what to expect. The dentist at the office provided me with a set of dental tools that I could show to the children. I explained how each of the devices worked. This eased the fears, and I started this blog so parents could share dental information with their children before dental visits.

Tags