Can Dental Implants Get Cavities or Gum Disease?

Many people don’t know, but dental implants can get cavities just like your natural teeth. They can also contribute to a patient developing gum disease, typically caused by a lack of regular dental hygiene and maintenance. This is why it’s essential to understand the benefits and limitations of dental implants so that you can ensure their longevity and enjoy their positive impact on your life.

How can a titanium implant get a cavity if it doesn’t have enamel or dentin-like teeth?

The properties of titanium make it a highly inert metal that is not rejected by the human body. When used in dentistry, titanium is mainly alloyed with other metals such as aluminum, copper, iron, and molybdenum. The most common alloys contain 90% titanium and 6% aluminum; this combination is known as Ti6Al4V and is the most widely used alloy for dental implants because it has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metallic element. Strength-to-weight ratio is crucial because of the incredible force caused by chewing or gnashing teeth. If the implant's material isn’t strong enough, it will wear out quickly, regardless of care. And that is one of the reasons we don’t typically see stainless steel or more significant amounts of aluminum in alloys for implants. Although they may also resist corrosion, their strength isn’t the same as the Ti6A14V.

Titanium alloys are also very lightweight and corrosion resistant. But that resistance to wear and tear does not mean corrosion-proof. They can undoubtedly develop cavities over time, especially if you regularly consume sugary foods and drinks, or do not brush and floss each day.

However, with proper care and regular trips to your dentist, you can prevent implant corrosion from happening. If you get a cavity on your implant, it is important to see your dentist immediately so we can treat it before it gets any worse.

How can I avoid developing gum disease if I have implants?

Remember that cavities are caused by tooth decay, which is the breakdown of the enamel on your teeth. Similarly, gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause them to change from being light pink to becoming red, swollen, and bleeding. The good news is that the same daily dental care can help you avoid both of these issues. Dental disease can be held at bay- even with your titanium implants- by brushing carefully, changing your toothbrush regularly, and flossing each day.

One of the most common issues patients experience after getting dental implants is some soreness and swelling, which can last for a few days or up to a month after surgery. This usually subsides once the healing process is complete, but this isn’t the same as gum disease.

Like each of our smiles, our bodies and mouths heal at different rates. The healing time can vary from person to person. For some patients, it can take up to six months for the bone to fuse completely to the implant. It’s important to take your time during the healing process and maintain appropriate care from the beginning, so that gum disease can’t gain a foothold around your new implants. Also, be sure to keep your regular periodontal disease maintenance cadence, and don’t forget to eat foods rich in Calcium to help expedite the bone to implant fusing.

Other tips for reducing pain or complications after implants

Another critical tip for post-surgery care is to avoid eating hard or crunchy foods for the first few weeks. Otherwise, you may experience more inflammation in your mouth while it is trying to heal from the implantation process. If you start to experience new pain around the area of your new implants, be sure to see us immediately so we can ensure that the implants aren’t damaged or that you haven’t developed an infection.