In our last blog, we talked about how our team uses dental implants to address minor or even severe cases of tooth loss. But once you receive these new teeth, how do you ensure they can truly last for decades to come? In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about ensuring dental implants have the chance to last a lifetime.
Placing Your New Teeth
Dental implants act as new tooth roots, and consist of biocompatible titanium posts inserted into the jaw through oral surgery. They bond with the jaw via a process known as osseointegration. Once this occurs, they have the potential to last for many years to come. We then connect an abutment to the posts, which allows us to attach a custom crown, completing your new tooth. We could also employ several posts to support a bridge or a fixed denture. As we mentioned above, this has the potential to last for decades to come, and potentially even a lifetime. But to do so, you must care for them as you would natural teeth.
Seeing Our Team
We want to see you every six months for a checkup and cleaning, so our team can monitor your smile and watch for possible signs of trouble. We can make sure your smile is free of concerns that could threaten the stability of your new teeth, such as periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. In the same visit, we also clean the surfaces of your teeth and dental implants, removing the plaque and tartar that has accumulated to lower the risk of periodontal concerns, as well as tooth decay and infection, which could impact the jaw that supports your new teeth.
Keeping Teeth Strong at Home
You also need to take action at home, which not only safeguards your new teeth, but your remaining natural ones too. For example, be sure you take time to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, when you wake up and again before bed. Each session should take at least two minutes. We also urge you to floss thoroughly too, cleaning between your teeth each evening before you brush for the second time. These actions lower the severity of plaque and tartar buildup until we can see you again for a checkup and cleaning.
If you have any questions about preserving your dental implants, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT IMPLANT DENTISTRY
Our team wants your new teeth to last for decades, possibly a lifetime. If you would like to find out more about keeping your smile whole, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
