Just like any other type of dental work you may receive, dental implants require maintenance.
This maintenance is essential for the longevity of not just the implant, but also to ensure the continued health of the other teeth and your mouth as a whole. Maintenance is essential in preventing the main causes of tooth loss (that resulted in the need for the implant in the first place) which are tooth decay and gum disease.
Some patients who have a history of nocturnal bruxism (tooth grinding) may be at increased risk of breaking the implant crown, the fixture screw or the implant itself. Most likely, your dentist would have provided you with a bite guard that you have to wear every night to prevent this from happening. At your maintenance visits, the condition of your bite guard needs to be checked to ensure that it can function properly.
Dental maintenance visits are an opportunity for your dentist and you to check in and identify any potential problems early.
Having a dental implant or any other type of dental treatment performed without a maintenance plan in place is just like buying a car and driving it around without auto insurance.
