Dental implants can provide a transformative treatment option for the millions of individuals who are missing one or multiple teeth. An implant utilizes a titanium screw (or post) as a synthetic tooth root to improve your chewing, biting, and speaking efficiency while boosting your confidence by restoring and beautifying your smile. Additionally, implants can keep adjacent teeth from shifting, improve jawbone health and strength, and offer a long-lasting solution that sidesteps potential future problems.

And with advanced imaging technologies, Dr. Phing Saurer can craft a customized solution based on your unique dental architecture and daily needs. So, we invite residents of Dublin, Hilliard, Worthington, Upper Arlington, and Columbus, OH to explore a more spectacular, functional smile by scheduling an appointment at River Park Dental in Dublin, OH.

What are the risks of poor dental implant maintenance?

Another advantage (in addition to improved function and transformed aesthetics) offered by dental implants is the ease of care. Implants do not require any special treatment or maintenance, and their upkeep is accomplished as with your natural teeth: regular, twice-daily cleaning via brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

But poor dental implant maintenance comes with most of the risks of poor oral health maintenance in general. If hygiene habits lapse and patients neglect daily brushing and flossing, bacteria can accumulate on various surfaces and in the nooks and crannies of the mouth. If left to flourish, these bacterial congregations can turn into plaque, a sticky but invisible film that clings to dental surfaces. Decay and infection can cause a host of problems throughout the mouth, including the dreaded cavities, along with more severe infections that could require even more involved treatments.

The importance of at-home oral care

Plus, neglecting proper oral care can kick-start gum recession, which can threaten not only your implant but also your natural teeth as well. Recession allows the bacteria to reach even further down to eventually attack the tooth roots and cause the teeth to loosen. This deep-down damage can also threaten the integrity of your dental implant.

Worse yet, if left untreated, the infection and decay can extend to the more profound tissues, including the jawbone, to potentially upset numerous teeth, joint function, and significant portions of your smile. A vital step in receiving your dental implant is a process known as osseointegration. This biological process occurs as the living tissue of the bone merges or fuses with your titanium dental post, providing a secure, stable connection that stands up to your daily needs. Yet, poor dental maintenance can deteriorate the bone tissue that secures and supports your functional, smile-transforming dental implant.

But you can protect the aesthetics and function of your dental implant (and the rest of your smile) by being proactive about at-home oral care and scheduling routine cleanings. Our expert dentists can thoroughly clean and polish your teeth and evaluate the status of your implant and overall dental health to help you enjoy long-lasting results, optimal functionality, performance, and a smile that shines.

Find out more about how to care for dental implants today

Do you want improved dental functionality and a more balanced, attractive smile in Dublin, Hilliard, Worthington, Upper Arlington, or Columbus, OH? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more at River Park Dental. Dr. Phing Saurer and our expert dental team have helped many patients enjoy better oral health and an improved smile through our full spectrum of advanced restorative options, including dental implants, and we’d love to help you as well.