For women, getting older means hitting certain milestones in life, including the onset of menopause. This stage can cause a variety of different symptoms depending on the person, some of which could affect their oral and overall health. If you are in or entering menopause and thinking about getting dental implants, here are a few important considerations you should make about your smile to ensure that your treatment is as successful as possible.
Dental Implant Failure & Menopause
Dental implants are an extremely successful treatment overall. In fact, with proper care and use they boast an impressive 95 percent success rate, even ten years after placement. Unfortunately, however, for women who are post-menopause, failure rates are about four to 11 percent higher. Here’s why:
- The decrease in estrogen during menopause can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, which can decrease the density of your jawbone and put your dental implant(s) at risk.
- Dry mouth is a common symptom of menopause. This reduction in saliva production allows bacteria to accumulate, increasing your risk of gum disease and peri-implantitis, which is a leading cause of dental implant failure that destroys the bone surrounding the dental implant.
- Women who are in or post menopause may experience slower osseointegration, where the dental implant fuses with the jaw due to lower quality or density of the bone itself.
How to Improve Your Odds for Implant Success
While there are no guarantees that any one procedure can ensure dental implant success, there are several treatments your dentist may recommend to give your dental implants the best odds possible before, during and after menopause. These include:
- Bone grafting: This treatment is ideal for those with poor jawbone density. It essentially rebuilds it, strengthening the site so the implant has a better chance of osseointegration.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): This treatment is provided by a general doctor and can help keep bones strong and reduce your risk of gum disease.
- Improved oral hygiene: By taking excellent care of your teeth and gums through regular brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist, you can prevent oral infections that could cause dental implant failure.
Remember, menopause can cause many different symptoms that can affect your dental implants. Thus, to ensure that your newly rebuilt smile has the best odds for success, be sure to let your dentist know if you are experiencing menopause or any related side effects so that he or she can help you provide additional protection to your restorations.
About Our Practice
At Prime Time Dentistry, our team of caring and compassionate dentists wants to help you restore your beautiful, healthy smile no matter what stage of life you’re in. If you’re ready to take control of your oral health with dental implants, schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling 945-207-7463.