Factors influencing the success of dental implants

Dental implants allow many people to recover the esthetics and functionality of their mouth, which means an improvement in both their health and their general wellbeing. Implants allow us to eat, speak, smile and laugh again with confidence and security, which also translates into an increase in our psychological well-being.

Even so, there are still many doubts about the success of dental implants. In this post we wanted to solve one of the most frequent: the factors that influence the success of the implants, that is, whether they are integrated into the bone tissue or not, their duration or their correct functionality.

The factors can be endogenous -generated or directly caused by the body itself- or exogenous -external factors to our body-. In any case, they all have a joint influence on the success of the implant.

1. Osseointegration: the volume and quality of the bone available for the implant determines not only its success, but also whether or not the implant can be placed. Fortunately, advances in implantology treatments, especially immediate loading, make it possible to foresee the lack of bone and, by reconstructing the 3D image of the jawbone, perform virtual surgery and place the implants in a safe and predictable manner.
2. Healthy habits: avoiding tobacco and other toxic substances such as alcohol and following a healthy diet will help us to take care of dental implants. Tobacco in particular has a very negative influence on the durability of the implants by reducing the defense capacity of the gums against bacterial infection. On the other hand, chewing habits or eating foods with intense coloring, such as wine, tea or spices, or even not maintaining a good general state of health, also affect the implant.
3. General health: some diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems or gum problems – gingivitis or periodontitis – should be evaluated and controlled before a dental implant is performed. This does not mean that people suffering from these diseases cannot have implants, they should simply consult and follow the indications of their dentist. The dentist should contact the doctor in charge of the patient to coordinate the protocol to be followed, the change of medication and the control of the general state of health, among other variables.
4. Oral hygiene habits: proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups with the dentist are essential for the oral health of any person, but in the case of dental implants it is especially relevant. This does not mean that they require excessive attention, with these 7 simple tips you will be able to care for and maintain your dental implants in perfect condition.
5. The implant material. The quality of the material is a determining factor in the success of the implant. Research in new composites has made great progress in this area and has provided highly biocompatible materials, such as titanium, which is light and highly resistant to chemical alteration thanks to its oxidation layer. In addition, pioneering manufacturers such as Nobel Biocare©offer above-average guarantees of compatibility and durability.
6. Surgical protocols. The latest technologies applied to dentistry have made it possible to plan and execute implantology procedures much more reliably, predictably and safely, with a success rate of up to 98.6%.
7. The experience of the dentist. As in any specialty, experience and the number of interventions performed are a factor that influences the success of the intervention and the final result of the implants. This is how a dentist with specialized and regulated training in Oral Surgery, with extensive experience and who applies the best technologies and materials in implantology treatments, can have a higher success rate.

In summary, immediate load implant dentistry is a treatment that is increasingly predictable, safe and with better results. If we take these factors into account and consult with our dentist, there is no reason not to enjoy a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth in perfect condition.