For many people, dental implants are the ideal solution for replacing any number of teeth. But while implant surgery does have an extremely high rate of success, you do need to be aware of risk factors that could lead to failure. One of the biggest threats to your new teeth is bruxism, which is when you involuntarily grind and clench your teeth at night. But does that mean you can’t get implants at all if you already have bruxism? Here’s what you need to know to keep your restored smile safe.

Before you can get dental implants, you need to be aware of any health issues that could put your new teeth at risk. While this obviously includes gum disease and other problems in your mouth, you may be surprised to learn that conditions in other parts of your body could interfere with the implant process. In particular, rheumatoid arthritis may threaten your smile in a couple of different ways. Read on to learn more about how it can affect your mouth – and whether it will stop you from getting implant surgery.