One of the most common causes of dental implant failure occurs when the bone in a patient's jaw fails to merge with the titanium post of the implant. This joining of bone and metal, known as osseointegration, is essential for a healthy and lasting implant, and new manufacturing and surgical techniques have made the process easier than ever. It is, however, still possible for the integration to fail, and there are precautions you should take to help ensure that your body accepts the dental implants without issue. 

Utilizing Modern Implant Surfacing

Convincing your body to accept an artificial tooth as its own is no easy task, but medical researchers have had decades to refine the process. Titanium is one of the few materials that is compatible with your body's natural chemistry, meaning your jaw will accept a titanium implant like a real tooth. Further advancements in the microscopic structure of the implant's surface have been shown to improve the chances of integration even further. Talk to your dentist about his or her methods, and how they compare to recent innovations in the field to guarantee that you stand the best chance possible of success. 

Quitting Smoking

Smoking is notorious for its many negative health impacts, including its deleterious effect on your teeth and gums. By reducing circulation in your gums, smoking can slow down the healing process that binds your jaw to your new implant, and it can later damage the tissues surrounding it. Although smoking does not guarantee failure, it can significantly increase the odds, so try to cut back or quit entirely before the surgery. 

Following Dietary and Aftercare Guidelines

Your dental surgeon will likely run through a list of aftercare instructions both before and after your implants are installed. This includes basics like avoiding hot food and drinks and not probing at the new tooth, as well as how to clean the site and sanitize it. Follow these instructions to the letter and give yourself plenty of time to recover. The less stress your body is under, the more likely it is to quickly accept the new implant. 

Choosing the Right Dental Surgeon

You can do everything correctly, of course, and still end up with a failed implant due to bad luck. For this reason, you should take the time to get to know your surgeon and familiarize yourself with his or her past results. Pick a surgeon who is willing to stay in close communication throughout the consulting, surgical and healing stages. By surrounding yourself with the best practitioner, you give yourself the best odds of a smooth and painless recovery.