Can dental implants get cavities?
Dental implants cannot decay the way a natural tooth does — there is no enamel for bacteria to attack. That does not make them maintenance-free.
By Dr. Sunny Choy, DDS
The short answer is no
Dental implants are a long-lasting way to replace a missing tooth, and one question comes up in almost every consultation: can the implant itself get a cavity?
It cannot. Unlike a natural tooth, an implant has no enamel — the hard outer layer that bacteria and acid break down to make a cavity. The post is titanium, which is biocompatible and does not decay, and the crown on top of it is porcelain or zirconia. None of those materials can develop decay.
Why brushing and flossing still matter
The implant is immune. What surrounds it is not.
- Peri-implantitis. Plaque left around the implant causes an infection in the gum and bone that hold it, much like gum disease around a natural tooth. Left alone, it can destroy enough supporting bone to lose the implant.
- Decay in the teeth next door. Plaque does not stay put. Buildup around an implant spreads to the natural teeth beside it, and those very much can get cavities.
So the risk never disappears. It just moves.
Looking after an implant
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, and take the extra second to angle it into the margin where the crown meets the gum.
- Floss daily. Threaders and interdental brushes both work well around implants, and either beats skipping it.
- Keep your cleanings. A hygienist can clean around an implant properly and can spot early peri-implant inflammation while it is still reversible, which is the entire point of catching it early.
Ask us about implant care
If you are considering an implant, or you have one and want to be sure you are caring for it properly, call us. We would rather answer the question now than treat the consequences later.