Post implant placement, proper care needs to be taken. You must maintain good oral hygiene and visit the dental clinic every six months for a thorough cleaning and check-up. At home, the implant needs to be brushed and flossed twice a day. You can use a Waterpik (water flosser) or an electric toothbrush with soft bristles to make things easier for you.
Pros:
- Perfect fit
- More natural-looking
- Long-lasting & Durable
- Very comfortable
- Better speech and phonation than bridges or dentures
- Easy to eat food with
- Easy to maintain oral hygiene
- Prevent bone loss
- Do not require trimming of adjacent teeth
Cons:
- Costlier than dental bridges or dentures
- Involves a surgical procedure
Typically, anybody who can get a dental extraction or surgery is fit to get a dental implant. However, some criteria need to be met before a person can get implant restorations. One, the person should have healthy gums, free of disease. Second, there should be a sufficient amount of bone in the area where the implant has to be placed. If a good amount of bone is not present, the implant cannot be fixed. Third, the person should be ready for frequent dental visits for the maintenance of good oral hygiene.
Patients with severe medical conditions like heart diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, liver or kidney problems, and those undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment need to be carefully assessed and cleared by their medical practitioners for dental implant placement. Heavy smokers and Individuals on anti-coagulants also need to be approved on a case-by-case basis as the procedure carries some risks for them. Those with poor oral hygiene are not suitable for dental implants, as there is a higher risk of implant failure or implant infection-called peri-implantitis.