When you’ve lost a tooth, the future of your oral health depends on whether or not you replace, and what you decide to replace it with. For instance, if you ignore it, then the loss will cause your other teeth to shift and be more likely to become damaged, infected, or lost as well. If you replace your lost tooth, then doing so with a dental implant offers the most comprehensive and long-lasting benefits to your smile. Besides the visible part of your tooth, a dental implant also replaces the root within your jawbone, offering a greater advantage to your oral health than traditional options, like a dental bridge.
Can an implant develop a cavity?
The good thing about dental implants is that they closely mimic the design of your healthy, natural teeth. Though this includes the lifelike prosthetic that tops the implant, your implant post, and replacement tooth/teeth do not consist of organic tooth structure. Therefore, they are not susceptible to cavities, which are caused by a bacterial infection (tooth decay) that settles into your tooth’s outer enamel and main structure, called dentin.
Can implants become stained?
Another benefit to implants and advanced replacement teeth is that the porcelain often used to create them is highly resilient to staining. However, to keep your new tooth/teeth and smile uniform, you will need to keep your teeth properly cleaned by brushing and flossing at least twice every day and visiting your dentist as often as recommended.
If I have an implant, can I still get gingivitis?
Unlike cavities and teeth stains, gingivitis (the precursor to gum disease) does not directly attack your teeth. Instead, it attacks the periodontal tissues, gums, and jawbone that support the roots of your teeth, as well as your dental implant post(s). Even after you’ve replaced a lost tooth with an implant, it is still imperative that you maintain excellent hygiene and preventive dental care to stop gum disease from forming and threatening your smile further.
