Implant Treatment and Care
Oral health continues to receive a lot of attention because it's the key to overall health. Flossing and brushing are vital to a healthy smile—your teeth allow you to eat various foods, and they even shape your face.
Sometimes, however, things do not go as planned. Teeth may fall out for a variety of reasons, such as gum disease, tooth decay, or even accidental removal. Your dentist will work to keep your natural teeth, but what do you do when your teeth need to be removed?
There are various options to replace teeth, including dentures, partial bridges, and implants. Your dentist will help you make the right choice.
Implants continue to be the best choice for replacing a natural tooth. Dr. Donald Roman, DMD, AFAAID, regularly educates patients on this fact. "When a patient comes into my office, we discuss why implants are a good choice and how they will help the patient's overall health. We also discuss other treatment options and how they compare to implants."
Dr. Roman says implants are the preferred treatment because they don't interfere with or touch adjacent teeth. In terms of oral hygiene, implants make flossing and brushing easier. The implant or anchor, which is the part that acts like the root, is made of titanium—a material that doesn't decay. They also act a lot like your natural tooth. The implant and its crown are a good alternative because they mimic how your real tooth works.
He also reminds his patients that the implant area is still subject to periodontal (gum) disease, which is why oral health is still important.
Bridges can be a little trickier to care for because they are removable and span across multiple teeth. Placing a bridge means the adjacent teeth are affected. Generally, bridges are harder to care for, which means there is a higher chance of decay.
Dentures are problematic because even the best-fitting dentures will move and give you only 30 percent of the function of a natural tooth. And while this isn't ideal, it is better than not having any teeth.
Dr. Roman has patients who have been able to keep the same implant for 20 years or more because they practice good dental hygiene (flossing and brushing) and eat a healthy diet. After long periods of time, the crown may need to be replaced because of normal wear and tear, but the implant structure usually stays in place.
Caring for your implant
The things you do that cause wear and tear on your teeth are the same things that will wear down your crown, including grinding or clenching. With proper care, the crown will last as little as 10 years but as long as 30 years.
Should the implant feel uncomfortable, a few tweaks can make the crown feel more comfortable—it can be polished or smoothed down without anesthesia. Dr. Roman says it's a very comfortable procedure. Make sure to ask your dentist about the proper care of not only your natural teeth but also any implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures.
How to keep your teeth healthy
To keep your natural teeth, Dr. Roman says you should follow daily rituals that include brushing and flossing and not chewing on ice or pencils. Your teeth are a natural shock absorber, so they help with chewing and eating. If you chew on items you are not supposed to, you might experience damage to your teeth.
Tips for taking care of your oral health:
- Brush your teeth 2 times per day
- Floss every day or use a water pick to get the remnants out
- Follow a healthy diet and avoid sticky foods or crunching on ice or hard candy
- If you grind or clench your teeth, make sure to wear a mouth guard. It will help the porcelain crown last longer
Dr. Donald Roman, DMD, AFAAID, has been in private practice in Bergen County for more than 38 years, serving the community and providing beautiful smiles. He received his dental degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, School of Dental Medicine, graduating with his DMD degree in 1983. He served as a Commissioned Officer in the USPHS as Acting Director of Dentistry at the Camden County Family Dental Center until 1985. He is currently in practice with his daughter, Dr. Alisa Roman.
Dr. Roman and his team spend considerable time and effort in postgraduate training. He has many professional affiliations and credentials, including a Master's in the Academy of General Dentistry. He can be reached at frontdesk@romansmiles.com.
