If your dentist has suggested dental implant surgery, you no doubt have many questions about the procedure. Dental implants are popular devices among people with missing teeth, and you enjoy many benefits when you choose implants as replacement teeth. Discover some frequently asked questions about dental implants and their answers below.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant isn’t a tooth, contrary to popular misconception. Instead, it is a small titanium post that dentists insert into the jawbone and attach a denture, crown, or fixed bridge. The implant integrates into the bone over time, allowing a dentist to attach an abutment that links to the replacement tooth. Implants essentially serve as the artificial tooth’s roots.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Implant technology has advanced since dentists started to use them. Currently, implants are sophisticated and safe prosthetics for tooth replacement. As with any other dental procedure, you want a skilled and well-trained dentist to insert the device. An experienced practitioner minimizes complications and reviews your medical history and lifestyle to ensure implants suit you.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Implants?
Missing one or a few teeth doesn’t automatically qualify you for dental implants since you must have sufficient bone density to support the implant. A bone graft may be necessary if you have inadequate bone density, where your dentist introduces natural or artificial bone to the area of the missing teeth.
Your dentist also evaluates your oral health as gum disease, tooth decay, and other issues affect the success of the implants. The dentist customizes a treatment plan for any oral problems before planning for the dental implant procedure.
An ideal implant candidate doesn’t chew or smoke tobacco because it interrupts the healing process after the implant installation. However, depending on your dentist’s instructions, you can abstain from the habit before and after the procedure.
What Is Dental Implants’ Success Rate?
Dental implants boast a success rate of 90 to 95%. Of course, this success rate varies between individuals, but you can expect your procedure to be successful with excellent oral hygiene. Dental implants rarely fail, but complications can arise if you have a rare allergy to the titanium alloy. The jawbone in a healthy, non-allergic individual readily integrates with the implant.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
If you have dental anxiety, you likely wonder if the dental implant procedure is painful. Many people find that getting implants isn’t as painful as anticipated, but you can expect some discomfort. Your dentist offers various sedation options, including anesthesia or partial sedation, to enhance the dental experience.
Why Are Dental Implants Popular?
Dental implants have many advantages over other tooth replacement procedures. Since the titanium fuses with your jawbone, the implants don’t slip or damage bones like bridgework and dentures. The implants don’t decay like your natural teeth and can last a lifetime.
Many people with missing teeth are conscious of their smiles in public. Implants boost your confidence because they look like your natural teeth, and you can comfortably talk and smile in social settings. Dental implants also function your teeth, meaning you can eat the foods you enjoyed before the procedure.
Are Dental Implants Expensive?
Generally, the cost of replacing one tooth with an implant is comparable to a regular fixed bridge. Dental implant costs depend on your jawbone, the number of implants, the type of artificial tooth, and other factors. Some insurers cover implant treatment, and many dentists offer payment arrangements.
Dental implants are excellent replacement devices that restore your confidence and lifestyle if you miss one or several teeth. Our oral health experts at Dan Czapek, D.M.D., evaluate your candidacy for dental implants to ensure they are right for you. Contact us today for tooth replacement options.
