How Your Bite Impacts the Lifespan of Your Implant

At Hillcrest Dental, we treat many patients in Orlando who have replaced missing teeth with modern implants. While titanium is incredibly strong, the weak point of any implant system is how it interacts with your bite. To help your implant last decades, we must focus on managing occlusal force. Here’s what to know about caring for your implant and managing your bite. 

Implants and Bite Shock Absorption 

Natural teeth are suspended in the jaw by a ligament that acts like a shock absorber. Dental implants, however, are fused directly into the bone. Therefore, implants do not flex under pressure. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth (bruxism) or clenching your jaw during the day, the implant takes the full brunt of that force. Over time, this micro-trauma can cause the implant to loosen or the porcelain crown to chip.

Read More: Why Replace Teeth with Dental Implants

Protect Your Implant with a Night Guard

For many of our implant patients, a custom-fitted night guard is the best form of insurance. By wearing a protective barrier while you sleep, you redistribute the pressure across your entire dental arch rather than concentrating it on your implant. Wearing a night guard prevents mechanical fatigue of the implant screw and protects the beautiful porcelain of your restoration.

Avoid Non-Food Stressors

It may sound simple, but your implant is designed for food, not for opening packages, biting fingernails, or chewing on ice. Because the implant is rigid, sudden impact trauma from hard objects can cause more damage than it would to a natural tooth. By only using your implant to bite and chew food, you significantly reduce the risk of structural failure.

Durable Dental Implants in Orlando

From installation to personalized care and cleanings, our team at Hillcrest Dental is here to help with every stage of your implant journey. Our dentist in Orlando, FL, will evaluate your bite at every visit to ensure your implant is handling the daily workload perfectly.  

For all of your implant needs, visit us. Schedule a consultation with our dental implant dentist in Orlando today.