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Gum disease
Healthy gums are essential for successful tooth implant surgery, and you will not be able to have this procedure performed with active periodontal disease.
Gum disease can damage the gums and jawbone, so an untreated infection could spread around the implant and lead to a failure. Check with Dr. Allan Acton of Cary Family Dental in Cary, NC to treat gum disease before getting an implant.
- Smoking
Smoking can also cause dental implant failure because it reduces blood flow to the gums, slowing the healing process. Research shows that smokers can have an implant failure rate of up to 20%.
It doesn’t mean that you’re ineligible for a dental implant, but you may have a better outcome if you stop smoking.
- Insufficient jawbone
Successful surgery also depends on enough jawbone to support the implant. Without enough healthy bone, the surgeon cannot surgically place the implant into your jaw. Severe gum disease can also cause deterioration of bones in the mouth.
- Medical conditions
Dental implant failure can happen if you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes which can cause the body to heal at a slower pace. Slow healing can prevent fusion with your jawbone.
The use of certain medications can also lead to dental implant failure. So, it’s important to discuss any medications (prescription and over-the-counter) that you’re currently taking with your oral surgeon.
- Poor dental maintenance
The ability to practice good oral hygiene after a dental implant also has an impact on the success rate. You’re not an appropriate candidate for a dental implant if you have limitations that affect your range of motion or interfere with the ability to thoroughly clean your teeth.
Contact Cary Family Dental to discuss dental implants:
