Caring for Your Dental Implants in Sunnyvale

For your teeth and gums to stay healthy, you know you and your family need regular oral care. The American Dental Association recommends twice daily brushing for two minutes and daily flossing to prevent decay and gum disease. But what if you or a loved one has dental implants in Sunnyvale? Do different rules apply? Learn how to care for these state-of-the-art tooth replacements from implant expert, Dr. George T. Philip.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The dental implant is today’s premiere tooth replacement option. Made of a cylinder-like titanium implant, metal alloy extension post and lifelike porcelain crown, this artificial tooth is stable, reliable and durable. After simple in-office surgical placement, the implant device and the jawbone adhere to each other through amazing osseointegration, providing very natural oral function. Osseointegration also makes the jaw bone stronger and more dense, especially as the patient bites and chews on the finished restoration.

Dental implants may be placed singly or in multiples. They are an excellent choice to anchor bridgework and partial and full dentures because they eliminate denture slippage and the other discomforts of conventional prosthetics (sore spots, for instance).

Highly successful, dental implants in the Mesquite area boast a success rate of well over 90 percent, according to the American Academy of Endodontists. Most patients retain them for decades, requiring no other tooth replacements.

Caring for Your Dental Implants

Because dental implants are not living tissue, they do not decay the way natural teeth do. However, they need disciplined oral care right after placement and continuing on as patients live their daily routines.

For example, Dr. Philip places the dental implant device right into the jaw bone. He then sutures site closed. When he or she goes home, the patient is encouraged to eat a soft diet for a few days. After that, it’s best to avoid chewing anything harder on the implant because the site must fully integrate the titanium screw with the bone.

After several weeks of healing, Dr. Philip connects the abutment and the implant and bonds the porcelain crown in place.Then, the implant process is complete.

Continuing care of the dental implant includes:

• Brushing your dental implant twice daily with a soft brush
• Flossing daily around the implant to remove plaque and its associated bacteria
• Seeing Dr. Philip and his team every six months for hygienic cleanings and check-ups
• Eating a low-sugar, high-calcium and fiber diet
• Smoking cessation
• Adequate hydration (at least eight glasses of water a day)

Good oral hygiene prevents peri-implantitis, an infection similar to advanced gum disease. Peri-implantitis is the biggest threat to retention of dental implants.

Your Restored Smile with dental Implants

Dr. Philip recommends dental implants for patients who have sufficiently dense bone and are in good overall and oral health.  Learn more by scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Philip.

Contact his office team today for a convenient appointment time. You’ll be amazed at how life can improve with dental implants.