One of the many reasons that dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth is because they are incredibly long-lasting. In fact, dental implants can be expected to last at least 20 years. However, with excellent oral hygiene habits, and regular dental cleanings and exams, some patients find that their dental implants last a lifetime.
Just because dental implants are mostly resistant to staining and cavity-resistant doesn’t mean you can cut corners in caring for them.
Dental implants should be brushed and flossed daily, just like you would brush and floss natural teeth. If you have an implant-supported dental bridge, your dentist may recommend that you use a water flosser to ensure you remove any debris from food that may accumulate where the gum meets the dental restoration. If you have implant-supported dentures that snap onto the implants, you should brush the dentures and gently brush your gums and the implanted posts.
If you have All-on-4 fixed dental implants, you must brush your teeth twice daily and use a water flosser daily. You should use an antiseptic mouthwash once a day. Your dentist may also recommend interdental brushes or other tools.
No matter what type of dental implants you have, seeing a dentist twice a year is essential to ensure your dental implants last for decades.
Types of Dental Implants Available
The number of teeth you are currently missing or plan to extract may inform the type of dental implant that your dentist recommends. Many types of dental implants are available, including:
- Single Tooth Implants
Best for replacing a single missing tooth or a severely decayed tooth that needs to be extracted, a single tooth implant can often be implanted at the same time the tooth is extracted.
- Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
Implant-supported bridges allow you to replace multiple, consecutive teeth missing in a row. Using implants as anchors, a bridge replaces at least three missing teeth.
- Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are removable dentures that snap onto dental implants. More secure and stable than traditional removable dentures, implant-supported dentures will not pinch or slip.
- All-on-4 Dental Implants
All-on-4 dental implants can replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth, using as few as four dental implants to anchor the denture permanently to the jaw.
- Mini Dental Implants
Mini dental implants are smaller than traditional dental implants and use a ball and socket system instead of a conventional implanted screw, abutment, and dental crown. Mini dental implants are often ideal for those lacking enough bone to support a full-size dental implant.
Schedule a Consultation for Dental Implants in Montgomery
At SmileMakers Comprehensive Dentistry, Drs Fry, Barganier, and Saikaly provide dental implants to patients needing durable, easy-to-care-for dental restorations to replace missing teeth. During your initial consultation, they will examine your mouth to confirm that you are free of active gum disease. They will also take digital images of your mouth, teeth, and jaw to use in conjunction with state-of-art surgical software known as Guided Dental Implant Placement to ensure the accurate placement of the implants. To schedule a consultation, call 334-277-5498, or request an appointment online today.