Were you missing a tooth and recently had surgery to install a dental implant to fix the problem? If so, you may be well aware of the possibilities of the implant being unable to integrate with your jawbone. If the titanium post is unable to bond with your jawbone, the implant will fail. Here are three reasons why this could happen to you.

You Are Still Smoking

If you were a smoker before you had your dental implant installed, you'll need to stop while recovering from the surgery. This is because tobacco smoke can cause difficulties with an implant being able to integrate properly.

A common problem you will see is delayed healing that is due to the area not having the oxygen it needs as well as poor blood circulation. Inflamed and irritated gums can also cause issues with healing as well. Smoking also causes a higher risk of getting an infection, gum disease, and dry mouth.

While it's a good idea to quit smoking all together, you'll want to avoid it entirely during those initial weeks after the surgery. You can try to adopt a healthier habit to curb your smoking, like chewing gum that contains xylitol to kill bacteria and promote the production of saliva.

You Are Drinking Excessively

Those that regularly drink can have problems with a dental implant healing. If you are taking antibiotics, the alcohol could cause those antibiotics to be ineffective. Alcohol will also increase soft-tissue inflammation in your mouth and potentially cause problems when combined with any pain medication you're taking.

Always avoid alcohol around the time when you have your dental-implant surgery performed, and check with your dentist for potential drugs that can interact poorly with alcohol.

You Have Diabetes

People with diabetes are known to have more difficulty healing, but it is still possible to have dental implants installed with diabetes. The key is keeping your blood sugar at the appropriate levels during recovery. This will help the gums heal much faster, decrease your chance of getting gum disease, and put you at a lower risk of getting an infection.

As a diabetic, you'll need to exercise and watch your diet if you want a fast recovery. If not, prepare for some potential complications.

For more info about reasons why a dental implant can fail, ask a dentist, such as one at Cloverleaf Dental Center. They are well aware of the possible complications and can give you more tips to help avoid them.

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