Dental implants are a revolutionary treatment that replaces missing teeth. However, many are concerned that the implant posts used to attach the crowns will rust in their mouths. Is this really the case? No, and yes. The real answer is a bit more complicated.
If you want to learn more about dental implants and how they handle corrosion, continue reading.
Can Dental Implants Rust?
The typical dental implant post is made from dental-grade titanium. This is a metal, of course, but it doesn’t rust. Rusting is a specific chemical reaction that takes place between ferrous metals like iron and oxygen. When iron oxidizes, it slowly turns into ferrous oxide (rust) and this chemical is toxic to humans.
If your implant post is made of stainless steel, then it could absolutely rust! Titanium, however, is not a ferrous metal and is biocompatible. This means that titanium is very at home in your body and even fuses with your jawbone over time as if it were natural bone.
If Dental Implants Don’t Rust, Do They Corrode?
Dental implants have a long life expectancy—most of them can last as long as 15 years or more with proper care. In that time, you’ll be eating foods with trace amounts of metals in them. This causes small discharges between your implant post, your saliva, and the minerals in the food. Over time, these micro-shocks can start to corrode the titanium.
This means that even if you take very good care of your implants, they will eventually need to be restored. The good news is that most people never need to have this procedure done with proper care.
How Can You Prevent Corrosion in Dental Implants?
There’s no sure way to stop corrosion from happening. It’s natural for things to degrade over time. That being said, there are steps you can take to reduce the speed of the corrosion and enjoy your dental implants longer!
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss daily before bed
- Rinse with alcohol-free anti-bacterial mouth wash daily
- Attend regular dental appointments and cleanings
Dental implants aren’t impervious to corrosion, but they are very resistant to it. Taking a proactive approach to care and seeing your dentist for regular cleanings is vital to their longevity. Take care of your teeth and your implants will continue to take care of you for years to come.
About the Practice
At Newton Corner Dental Care, their team of expert dental professionals is ready to help you smile again. They use the latest dental technology and techniques to perform many treatments from fillings to dental implants effectively and pain-free. Call (617) 332-6232 to schedule a dental implant consultation or visit the website to learn more.
