Implant Restoration

If you have a tooth missing, getting a dental implant is a great way to replace your tooth. Dental implants are durable appliances that can last forever, but it is possible for them to break and need to be repaired.

When you come to the Center for Family & Implant Dentistry to get your tooth implant restored, you can get it done in the same place that you get your other dental services for your convenience.

Dental Implant Breakage

Dental implants are highly durable, but they can be damaged by a number of different behaviors, habits, and incidents that cause trauma. Implants are highly strong, but they aren’t quite as strong as teeth. And, teeth can break when too much force is applied to them. The same is true of your dental implant.

Dental implants can be weakened over the long term by engaging in habits that are harmful to them. These include having trauma to the teeth, grinding your teeth often, biting into very hard foods, and chewing on ice. All of these can lead to a dental implant not lasting for as long as it would otherwise. Dental implants are great for most people, but they do have to be well cared for to keep them strong and intact.

Putting too much pressure on a dental implant before it has completely become integrated with the bone can also cause breakage. Not only can you break the top part this way, but you can also break other parts of the implant. The abutment that keeps the crown connected to the implanted post can be broken with too much force, or the crown can be cracked or broken. If you have an implant that feels loose or is sitting awkwardly, the portions below the crown may be damaged.

Repairs for Dental Implants

Generally, a dental implant can be expected to last for decades, but this can be shortened substantially without good care. A complete dental implant is made of a post implanted into the jawbone, the abutment that connects it to the crown, and the crown itself. When the crown is broken, it will need to be replaced. This will require the old crown to be removed and a new crown to be made to fit the implant. Getting the crown replaced is an easy fix, and it won’t take very long to do.

To prevent damage to your implant, be aware of how much pressure you are putting on it. Don’t bite too many hard foods, and don’t chew on ice. Never use your teeth as a tool, such as using them to open a bottle. If you grind your teeth at night, this can be extremely damaging over time. If you have this problem, called bruxism, call our office to set up an appointment to get a nightguard to hold your teeth away from each other to prevent them from grinding.