Have you ever thought about getting dental implants? Are you worried that they might hurt your teeth? Before you undergo any kind of dental procedure, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the benefits and drawbacks it presents. Explained below are some possible risks of dental implants, along with tips on how you can avoid them and have a positive experience.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a treatment option for folks who have lost one or more teeth. A dental implant is like an artificial tooth root. It’s shaped like a screw and gets implanted into the jawbone. Over time, the artificial root bonds with the natural bone and becomes a sturdy base for a crown to be placed on top of it. The crown gets attached to the root with a connector (also called an abutment). Each crown gets custom-made so that it matches your natural teeth and fits into your mouth with ease.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants function just like regular teeth and can help to restore your smile to its former glory. Some people are better candidates for implants than others, though, including:
Those who are in good general health Those who have good oral health with minimal gum inflammation and no signs of periodontal disease Those who are committed to taking good care of their new crowns and attending follow-up appointments to complete the implant process Those who can commit to practicing good daily oral hygiene Those who do not smoke Those who do not abuse drugs or alcohol Those who do not have chronic diseases Those who are not pregnant
If you meet the criteria outlined above, you can likely benefit from dental implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Speaking of benefits, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to choose implants over other smile-improving procedures. The following are some of the greatest benefits implants have to offer:
Improved Appearance
Dental implants have a natural finish, making them a great choice for those who don’t want anyone to know that some of their teeth are false. When you get dental implants, you can fill in the gaps (literally) and restore your smile.
Improved Speech
If you’re missing one or more teeth, depending on where it’s missing from, you may find that your speech is impaired. Replacing the missing tooth or teeth with implants helps to restore speech right away.
Increased Comfort
Dental implants are also much more comfortable than a lot of other options, such as dentures. They’re fused to your jaw bone, so you don’t have to worry about them coming loose.
Better Self-Esteem
Many people who are missing teeth report feeling self-conscious about the gaps in their smile. With implants, you can cover those up and show your teeth with confidence.
Better Oral Health
Dental implants can lead to better oral health, too. You may find that you’re less prone to cavities and have an easier time cleaning your teeth once you’ve had an implant or implants put in place.
Increased Convenience
Don’t forget about the convenience factor, too. Since implants are fused to the jaw bone, you can treat them like your natural teeth. There’s no need to worry about removing them for cleaning. Just brush and floss as you normally would.
Risks of Dental Implants
As with any dental treatment, implants are not 100 percent safe for everyone. The following are some of the most well-known risks associated with dental implants:
Failure to Integrate: In some situations, the implant might not fuse to the jaw bone is there isn’t enough bone or the bone is unhealthy Perforation: This occurs when other structures, such as the sinuses or lingual plate, get injured during the implantation process Infection: Infections can sometimes occur, especially if proper care isn’t taken after the treatment is complete Breakage: Sometimes, the implant or abutment can break and put the crown at risk
These negative effects are rare. There is always a possibility that they can happen, though.
Dental Implant Preparation and Recovery Tips
It’s understandable that you might feel a little anxious after you learn about dental implants and the potential risks that come with them. Luckily, though, you can avoid many, if not all, of these problems by taking your preparation and recovery seriously. Here are some guidelines you ought to keep in mind when getting ready for your treatment and recovering afterward.
Preparation
To prepare for your treatment, start by making sure you’re a good candidate. Be honest with yourself and your Dentist In Greeneville about your oral hygiene habits and overall health. Often, dentists prescribe antibiotics before beginning the implantation process. If this is the case for you, be sure to take those antibiotics as-directed to reduce your risk of infection.
Recovery
After having your implant or implants placed, be gentle with it and the surrounding teeth. Stick to soft foods and liquids for the first few days, and rinse your mouth out with salt water a few times per day 24 hours after your surgery. Get lots of rest and take your antibiotics as prescribed, too. Clean your teeth in a thorough but gentle way as well to further reduce your risk of infection. If you follow these guidelines, as well as any others given to you by your dentist, your chances of experiencing negative outcomes will decrease in a significant way.
Get Dental Implants Today
Now that you know more about the benefits and risks of dental implants, as well as how you can recover properly from this procedure, what do you think? Does it seem like a good fit for you? If you think that the pros outweigh the cons, now is the perfect time to look into finding a dentist near you who offers dental implants. If you want to learn about other dental procedures that could help you, check out some of the other health-related articles on our site today.
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