Dental implants are considered the golden standard of tooth replacement. They look and feel like natural teeth and can restore a smile to its youthful beauty. The implant post is usually made of titanium and the crown it supports is typically made of porcelain or zirconia. The resulting piece blends in with your smile by mimicking the color, luster, and shape of yourteeth. Many people wonder, can an artificial restoration made of such strong materials get cavities? Read on to find out.
The Answer Is…
No. The materials used in dental implants leave them completely impervious to tooth decay.
But before you spread yourself a buffet of rock candy and sugarcane with a donut-glaze fondue fountain, you must understand that good oral hygiene is as important as ever. You still need to brush your implants with toothpaste twice and floss them once every day. This will protect the gums and the natural teeth adjacent to the implant by preventing plaque buildup.
Dental Implants Are Still Affected by Gum Disease.
While a dental implant is immune to tooth decay, it can still provide a cozy breeding ground for acid-producing bacteria. If bacterial growth goes unchecked, it can cause gum disease or decay to the remaining natural teeth. Even if the implant is immune to decay, it can still be rejected from the mouth if gum disease progresses too far. Once an implant fails, the only course of action is to remove it and try again. In addition to the loss of time and effort, doing them over again can be expensive.
To make sure the gums stay healthy and the implants stay secure, patients with dental implants might need to see their dentists more than twice a year, particularly in the years following the procedure. You will still need to brush twice and floss once daily. Dentists recommend using antibacterial mouthwash. Good oral hygiene can make the difference between an implant lasting a year or lasting a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Gabriel Nossa earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the College of Dentistry before completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency. He is a member of Rotary International, Leadership Gainesville, the Alachua County Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Florida Dental Association while also being Visiting Faculty at the University of Florida. For more information on dental implants, contact his office online or dial (352) 332-8133.