Replacing missing teeth will restore the look, function, and health of your smile in the wake of tooth loss. But even though the benefits seem clear, you might worry that fixtures like dental implants will impact your ability to receive other types of dental work.
Implant dentistry will endure for twenty years or longer, but you can still get the other dental care you need without issue. However, you might need a unique approach to your oral health with these additions to your mouth. Read on to find responses to frequently asked questions regarding the possibility of undergoing dental work when you have a dental implant.
Can I Whiten a Dental Implant?
Over time, the color of your teeth can change. You might feel unhappy when your smile appears yellower, duller, or stained. Teeth whitening treatment lifts and removes stubborn stains within the tooth enamel. But dental implants feature ceramic prosthetic teeth that will not respond to the bleaching treatment of the cosmetic solution.
You cannot whiten your dental implants, but they are made to resist staining in the first place. However, if you do want to brighten the look of your implants, you will need to speak to your dentist.
A dentist can whiten surrounding natural teeth. But the only way to change the color of an implant is to replace the prosthetic teeth. Preserve the look and color of your implants with good oral hygiene and other aftercare.
Can I Receive Orthodontics with a Dental Implant?
If you want to straighten your smile with braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic solutions, you might worry dental implants will stop you from aligning your teeth. Implants feature an anchor surgically placed in the jaw, making the prosthetic teeth fixed into place.
Orthodontics cannot move the dental implant, so many people straighten their teeth with braces before receiving an implant. However, you can still align your smile if you already have an implant.
A dentist can focus on the teeth surrounding the implant and straighten them with personalized orthodontic care. Schedule a consultation with a dentist or orthodontist to learn more.
Will an Implant Suffer Dental Problems?
A dental implant will not suffer from decay as your natural teeth can. But you will still require preventative care to get the most out of your dental work. Attend routine teeth cleanings and oral exams like you usually do so that your implant can function as well as possible without any complications.
While rare, a dental implant might fail if the bone in the jaw does not fuse properly with the titanium post anchor. The implant then might move or become infected and require removal from a dentist.
Gum disease can damage a dental implant as bacteria from this infection will eat away at the gum tissue and jawbone as it spreads. Lower your risk of gum disease and therefore dental implant failure by adhering to proper oral health care.