Here’s the great news: dental implants have a 98 percent success rate!!

Here’s the not-so-great news: in rare cases, implants can fail, but why?

Dr. Mike will review your health history, lifestyle habits current oral health. If Dr. Mike has determined you are a good implant candidate, you can rest assured your implant will be successful, because the vast majority of dental implants are successful—and last a lifetime.

As you’ll see, if you have good overall physical and oral health, your primary focus should be on your post-procedure oral hygiene.

Here are the reasons why a dental implant may fail:

• Insufficient bone support: If your jaw is too fragile to support an implant, Dr. Mike will not perform the procedure right away. A bone graft can be performed to add more jawbone support. A bone graft will add more time to your implant journey, but it’s a far better solution than having a failed implant or permanently missing teeth.

Other options include placing Zygomatic or pterygoid implants because these implants are supported by other bones in the skull rather than the jawbone.

• Poor overall health: If your immune system is compromised, or you’re otherwise in poor health, your body may not be able to heal properly after an implant procedure. It’s imperative to be open and honest about your health with Dr. Mike, so he can determine what’s truly in your best interest.
• Tobacco use: Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict, which makes it harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, thus making it more difficult to heal. If you use tobacco in any form, you may not be a good implant candidate.
• Peri-implantitis (gum disease): This type of gum disease can occur post-procedure. Although your new teeth won’t decay, it’s still important to brush and floss as directed. This prevents bacteria from forming beneath your gumline. In most cases, it can be easily addressed by improving your brushing and flossing. However, if you let it go too long, it may cause bone loss and infection. This, in turn, causes implant failure.
• Impact or stress on the implant: Finally, if you suffer an impact to your jaw, it can reduce the chances of osseointegration. Folks who grind their teeth or clench their jaws may also put too much stress on the implant. Make sure to talk to Dr. Mike about solutions for these issues—both before and after the surgery. This will improve your chances for a successful implant.

If you’ve already been given the green light for dental implants, you can breathe easy. Just remember to brush, floss and rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash at least twice daily. With good oral health and Dr. Mike’s approval, you’re well on your way to a lifetime of beautiful, confident smiles.

To learn more about dental implants and whether you’re a good candidate, call to schedule and appointment with Dr. Mike at Cleveland Implant Institute today.