Whether you have a mouth full of dental implants or you just have them strategically positioned in your mouth to replace a missing tooth, you are likely very curious about the maintenance of your new teeth, and that’s normal.
Dental implant patients often ask, “if I get a dental implant, will I still have cavities?”
The above question is not surprising since a dental implant is an intensive oral surgery. Having invested so much money into getting a dental implant, you want to ensure they are free of cavities and do not require additional procedures.
Read on to find an answer to the question.
All About Dental Implants
Dental implants are medical replacement tooth roots installed in a person’s tooth to replace a missing or damaged tooth. They provide a sturdy and permanent replacement for natural teeth.
Dental implants help improve a person’s appearance, enhance eating and chewing abilities and improve comfort.
They also improve the self-esteem and overall oral health of patients. Dental implants are durable and convenient.
Dental implants are suitable for persons healthy enough to undergo a tooth extraction.
Persons with diabetes, cancer, blood clotting disorders, poor immune system, and drug abuse conditions are unsuitable for dental implants as their gums may not be strong enough to support an implant.
Gum Disease and Dental Implants
Dental implants are made of porcelain and titanium; given this, they are not susceptible to tartars and cavities. However, there are some concerns regarding gum disease.
You see, gum disease is one of the highest causes of tooth loss and one of the leading causes of dental implant failure.
When gum disease arises, the gum lines pull out of the tooth roots, leaving the teeth without a base or support. This eventually leads the teeth to loosen and fall off.
This can also happen with dental implants. If the gums get infected so much, they may be unable to support the dental implants, weakening them.
And once this happens, it means the dental implant is unsuccessful. Your dentist will have to pull it out and restart the process.
Do Dental Implants Get Cavities or Tartar?
The short answer is no; dental implants do not get cavities or tartars. Cavities occur when tartars, bacteria, and plaque break down the tooth, causing the formation of cavities.
Although dental implants have the same look and feel as your regular teeth, they are still synthetic. This means that while bacteria, tartar, and bacteria significantly affect natural teeth, they do not affect cavities.
Other Benefits of Dental Implants
Aside from being unable to get tartars or cavities, dental implants have other great benefits. They include:
[list icon=”https://dentalhubantalya.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dental-care.png” icon_color=”#333333″ indent=”4″]- Dental implants have a natural look and feel, making them undetectable to others
- They work like regular teeth; hence you can eat and chew with them, including chewy and crunchy meals
- They fuse with the jaw and will not detach and fall off, unlike dentures
- They are long-lasting when maintained properly
While you need not worry about your dental implants developing cavities, tartars, or plaque buildup, it is still essential to practice good oral hygiene.
This will protect your dental implant and ensure they last longer and are in good condition.
Good oral hygiene also affects the success rate of the dental implant. Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime and have a very high success rate.
However, if they are not well maintained, your jawbone may refuse to absorb the dental implant, a necessary step to attain dental implant success.
Also, poor dental hygiene can lead to the loss of dental implants. If there is a lack of proper oral hygiene, bacteria will multiply easily to a harmful level. This, in turn, will lead to mucositis, an inflammation of the gums.
When left untreated over time, this mucositis can lead to bone loss around the dental implant. You could also develop peri-implants as a result.
Even if all of your mouths are covered with dental implants, and there are no chances of cavities or tartars forming, it’s still important to practice proper oral hygiene. This includes:
- Brush your teeth twice daily; morning and night
- Floss your teeth every day
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash while rinsing your mouth
- Pay a visit to your dentist at least twice a year
- Use a soft nylon brush while brushing
- Avoid the use of abrasive products
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
CONCLUSION: Do Dental Implants Get Cavities or Tartars?
As stated, dental implants do not get cavities or tartars simply because they are made of porcelain or titanium and are metals; these materials are insusceptible to bacteria, plaques, tartars, or cavities.
However, the gum and gum lines can get attacked and weakened if not adequately maintained. Hence, practicing proper dental care is essential to prevent gum disease that can cause the dental implant to fail.
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