With approximately 65 percent of adults having at least one tooth missing, it’s no wonder why dental implants are among the top performed oral procedures.
Like real teeth, dental implant benefits include giving you the ability to eat better and improving the overall appearance of your smile. It may seem simple enough, but there’s more to the dental implant procedure than most people realize.
If you’re considering implants, read this guide on the five questions you should ask your dental surgeon.
1. How Are Dental Implants Inserted?
Dental implants consist of titanium metal screws connected to the patient’s jawbone with the end or post facing out of the gum. These posts are covered by crowns designed to look and work like natural teeth surrounding them in size, shape, and color.
The procedure length varies depending on the extent of the patient’s case and the number of implants the dentist is inserting. The dentist will provide intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide to make sure you don’t feel a thing.
2. Are Implants Safe?
Like any surgery, there are risks to be aware of, like infection and nerve damage. But as long as you are healthy before your dental implant surgery and follow the precise post-operation care instructions after, they are considered quite safe.
Take extra steps to make sure you’re in top health by cutting habits like smoking and drinking before getting the procedure done. This will help reduce your recovery time.
If you have specific questions and want to find out more about risks and benefits, reach out to your local oral surgeon. They’ll walk you through every procedure detail and answer your questions with a simple consultation.
3. How Long Do Implants Last?
With the right care, implants can last well over 40 years. Aftercare should be implemented in your daily brushing routines, flossing, and checkups at the dentist. If any damage occurs to the implant, head to the dentist straight away so that they can evaluate it and repair if needed.
4. Are They Visible With A Smile?
If done correctly, your implant should have no noticeable differences from your natural teeth, and they feel natural in the patient’s mouth. The only way one may determine if a tooth is, in fact, an implant is through a radiograph to detect the metal of the implant or if you decide to say so.
5. Who Is Eligible For Dental Implants?
Not everyone is eligible to get dental implants. A thorough examination of a person’s health is conducted during the consultation stages. Dentists will look at factors like jawbone tissue to determine if it’s healthy enough to hold the implant in place.
Having some questionable factors may not automatically eliminate your chances, but the dentists may need to come up with alternative plans to treat you.
Start Your Dental Implant Journey
These questions are the first step to getting dental implants and the smile of your dreams. Visit your nearby dental office and make the best decision for yourself today.
For more health tips, check out our Lifestyle tab.
