4 Myths About Dental Implants

According to archeological records, primitive dental implants may have been used in prehistoric times, and they were surprisingly common by 600 AD. Modern dental implants have been available since the 1970s, but they did not explode in popularity until the 1990s. Although they are now considered the best option for tooth replacement, dental implants are still shrouded in myths and legends. Here is the truth behind 4 common myths about dental implants.

Any oral surgery can cause some discomfort, but the truth is that dental implant surgery is generally less painful than tooth extraction. With modern technology and a skilled and experienced implant dentist, dental implant surgery can be nearly pain-free.

Following your surgery, be sure to take any prescribed medications as directed, even if you are not currently in pain. It is far easier to stay ahead of potential pain than to let it build up. Most people go back to work in just a day or two.

It is true that the initial expense for dental implants is somewhat higher than dental bridges and significantly higher than dentures. However, dentures can cause bone loss, must be relined at least annually, provide inefficient digestion of food along with minimalized taste and typically wear out in 10 or 15 years. Dental bridges require the sacrifice of healthy tooth structure in the neighboring teeth, significantly raising their risk for future decay or fracture. Amortized over a lifetime, dental implants are far less costly and provide far superior quality of life implications.

Do not shop for implants solely on price. There are many factors involved in the cost of implant restorations.  Be careful of “too good to be true” deals and never risk compromising the quality of your oral health and lifestyle.  It is not uncommon to see these cheap deals involving implants or other components not properly manufactured or regulated/approved by the FDA or placed by inexperienced clinicians yielding far less than ideal results affecting the quality of your life and possibly accruing additional costs in corrective treatment.  While implant dentistry can involve a large investment of time and money, our office has established several means and options to help lessen the financial burden and ensure that our patients receive the proper quality of care and results they deserve.

It is true that if you have any existing oral health issues such as gum disease or tooth decay, we must treat those before your dental implants are placed. It is also true that any underlying chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or diabetes must be well controlled to minimize surgical risks. Those with severe jawbone loss may need bone grafting to ensure that the jawbone can support the implants.

Within these parameters, though, nearly anyone can get dental implants. We will thoroughly assess your existing oral and physical health, and work with your doctor as needed to get you where you need to be.  Dr. Sami has successfully restored thousands of implant restorations and has developed a growing network with the top medical and dental specialists in the community to help ensure that all his patients receive the proper treatment necessary no matter what underlying conditions they may have.

The truth is that the body cannot reject dental implants, which are crafted from biocompatible titanium. In very rare instances, though, they may not properly fuse with the jawbone. Across the board success rates, though, are approximately 95 percent. A skilled implant dentist whose patients carefully follow aftercare instructions can achieve a success rate upwards of 98 percent.

If you’re ready to get started with a top rated cosmetic dentist who provides individualized solutions and caters to those with dental anxiety,contact Gold Coast Smiles today at (516) 676-0250 to schedule your first appointment.