Understanding that there is continued technical advancements in dentistry, having healthy teeth and gums, and knowing that 95% of dental implants are successful is a good start if you are considering having dental implants.
What’s an Implant, What’s the Worst That Can Happen, and How Much Do They Cost?
Implants are rooted into the jaw bone and held in place with a screw. It’s an operation, and like any operation, it will depend on each individual case. Generally, it’s considered a safe procedure and problems that could arise can be prevented when all dentistry equipment is properly sterilized, because infection is one of the main concerns. Other problems could arise due to patients not following proper post-operation instructions. Also, if you already have a gum disease or other oral issue, the healing period might be prolonged.
In rare cases, your body might reject the implant. If it does happen, it’s usually either because there was an underlying condition that wasn’t detected before the implant or the result of a possible allergy to any of the materials used in the procedure. A pre-existing condition could spread the bacteria in your mouth to the implant. Almost any problem with dental implants are fixable and short-term. Another consideration is cost. You may want to see how much do dental implants cost because there are different types. Familiarize yourself with newer methods like G4, which is a permanent solution that could work for an entire upper or lower row of teeth, with a customized bridge made for you, using as few as four implanted teeth. It gives you 90% chewing ability, and is also a fraction of the cost of traditional implants. Well worth it!
How Your Body Benefits From Implants
The most obvious benefit you will have is filling up the space of a missing tooth with an implant that looks and functions like your original tooth. That’s the cosmetic side of it which is a huge benefit, and there are others.
Consistency: Just one missing tooth can change the shape of your face because the other teeth can shift in position. You may also experience speech problems depending on which teeth are missing. An implant fixes both these problems, and they will stay fixed for decades.
Bone density: Your jaw bones become strong through chewing and biting. When there’s a missing tooth, there’s nothing to bite or chew with. The bone under a missing tooth will begin to weaken if the tooth is not replaced.
Nutrition: There are plenty of healthy foods like nuts, meats, and vegetables that you may find too difficult to chew because of a missing tooth or teeth. That means not getting enough vitamins and minerals into your body. With implants, your chewing and biting abilities will be nearly back to normal, allowing you to eat anything you’d like.
Whatever reasons you’re missing a tooth, implants can provide a permanent solution without affecting or having work done on your other teeth. Technology and well-trained dentists continue to improve dental procedures, making them safe, affordable, and comfortable. An implant is a great option all around.