September is Dental Implant Awareness Month, a great opportunity to talk about the many advantages of dental implants.
Why is this important? Even if you have all of your teeth in place, at least one member of your family or a friend could likely benefit from dental implants. In fact, most people will lose at least one tooth in their lifetime, whether due to extraction, decay, infection, or injury. Dental implants help over 3 million Americans, allowing them to recover their ability to talk, eat, and smile.
Despite their importance, there are still a lot of misconceptions about this restorative treatment. Here, we’ll go over some of the most important truths about dental implants.
Facts about dental implants everyone needs to know
Dental implants are more than a cosmetic treatment
Many people believe that the sole purpose of dental implants is to help patients with missing teeth improve the appearance of their smile. Although implants can indeed restore the way your smile looks and improve your confidence, there are other benefits of dental implants. They also contribute to your dental health by preventing bone loss, tooth loss, shifting teeth, and potential bite problems.
Missing teeth DO need to be replaced
As mentioned above, missing teeth are very common, but not replacing them can lead to serious problems.
When you lose a tooth, your jawbone loses stimulation, causing it to reabsorb. If the tooth isn’t replaced, you will lose about 25% of your jawbone within the first year, and it will keep deteriorating over time.
Bone loss puts you at a higher risk of losing even more teeth, and alters your facial features (a condition known as facial collapse). It can also lead to other issues, like headaches, jaw pain, and speaking and eating difficulties.
Dental Implants look and feel natural
At our office, many patients come to us concerned that implants will look “fake”. But dental advancements have come a long way since the first restorative treatments. Today, dental implants are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like biological teeth. At TLC Escondido, we carefully choose the right colors and shapes so your restoration will look just like your original teeth. We also work with the latest technology to make the entire procedure more comfortable, quick, and effective.
Dental implants can last a lifetime
Dental implants are as strong as natural teeth (or even more). They are the strongest, most durable form of tooth replacement.
The main reason why implants are so strong is their composition. A dental implant consists of a small screw made of titanium that is fixed into the jawbone, acting as the root of a new tooth (a crown, bridge, or fixed denture).
Although dental implants don’t decay like regular teeth, they must be cared for in the same way. Dental implants can last for several decades with proper hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
Dental implants are comfortable, safe, and effective
We know that dental procedures typically cause anxiety, and dental implant surgery is not the exception. But there’s no reason to feel scared. Dental implant procedures are performed using local anesthesia, which means you’ll feel comfortable throughout the entire procedure. You may experience some soreness afterward, but it’s easily treated with over-the-counter medications.
Dental implants have a high success rate (98%). There is a minor risk of complications after a dental implant procedure, usually caused by smoking, inadequate dental hygiene, and other factors.
To avoid any complications or properly treat them if they occur, make sure you go to an experienced implant dentist. If you are in Escondido, CA, and want to replace one or more teeth, our highly trained and compassionate dentists can work with you to find the right restorative treatment for you.
They are cost effective
“How much do dental implants cost?” is a question that we often hear at our office. Although this isn’t the cheapest restorative option, it is the most cost effective in the long term, since dental implants can last for many years. Other alternatives like removable dentures need to be replaced approximately every 5-10 years.
The cost of dental implants can vary depending on a variety of factors. Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of dental implants. If you are considering getting dental implants and want to learn the exact cost, our team in Escondido can answer all your questions!
Do you want to learn more?
Dental implants are hands-down the best way to replace missing teeth. We hope that this article answered your questions and helped you understand dental implants better. If you have any more questions, at TLC Escondido, our experienced team will be happy to help you.
Are you ready to start? Book your appointment today at TLC Escondido Dental or call us at (760) 239-0632. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions!