Several years ago I decided to take a trip to the dentist after skipping multiple appointments for over 15 years. I truly had a dental anxiety and had a hard time getting over my fears. Thankfully, my dental visit went smoothly with only four cavities identified. What I did find from this dental visit was that there was a great deal of new information and technology that I had been missing out on. Laser-based technology and digital imaging are just a few examples. With this blog, I want you to understand that you can get over your fears and learn about this new technology like I did, so enjoy the information.
After you complete a dental implant procedure and have the final crown secured, you may think your troubles with the new "teeth" are no more. And in a way, you're correct; implant crowns won't get cavities, nor will they develop the brownish hues that you might see in a tooth where there's no cavity but the enamel is weakening. You won't have sensitivity from the implants when you eat or breathe cold air.
However, this doesn't mean you can ease up on brushing and flossing around the implants, even if you have a few in a row. In fact, you need to be just as careful as before, because as strong as implants are, they are not invincible.
You're Not Replacing Your Gums
Your gums still need care, even if the teeth they hold are titanium and porcelain implants and crowns. That means regular brushing and flossing; ask your dentist about how to floss around the crowns to ensure you get any food debris caught there. If you don't brush well, the gums can still become irritated and even infected, just as they can when they're next to natural teeth. You should still be able to use mouthwash, too. Your dentist should have discussed all of this when finishing up the implant and crown, but if you still have questions, give the office a call.
Food Still Gets Caught Next To Them
Implants are usually added as separate teeth, although you can get a combination bridge/implant called an all-on-4 implant. But, assuming you've gotten separate implants, guess what? Food can still get caught between them. If you have something very sugary, you can still end up with that weird food debris lining the crowns and gums. You have to brush and floss daily to control that and to make sure no food remains between the implants.
The Crowns Can Still Break
The crowns on the implants can still break, so you have to continue to avoid chewing ice and other very hard foods. Here's the kicker, though: If the crown cracks, chips, or breaks, you might not realize it if the damage is small. The crowns have no nerves, so you could chip a corner off and not know. Brushing and flossing lets you check out your teeth daily, so you can see if the crowns are doing OK.
Dental implants are worth getting if you've had trouble with dentures and bridges, and the implants are nice and strong. But they are implanted in a natural jaw and act like natural teeth, which means they still need to be cared for properly. Your dentist can show you what you need to do to care for your teeth properly post-implant surgery.
Share25 August 2022
