4 Myths About Dental Implants

Dental implants are a type of artificial teeth used to replace teeth that are missing or too damaged to be saved. They are the highest quality replacement teeth available in dentistry, providing a look and function that is as close to your natural teeth as possible in a prosthetic. 

Yet, even with all of their benefits, some patients choose not to get dental implants due to the unfortunate myths they have heard. Here are 4 of the most common myths about dental implants and the facts that disprove them. 

What Are Dental Implants?

To understand the myths and facts about dental implants it helps to understand what a dental implant is and how it works. A dental implant consists of a titanium post that is surgically placed in the bone of your jaw. It is implanted directly into the socket where the missing tooth was located. Titanium is a biocompatible material that fuses with the bone to form a solid bond that is capable of supporting a dental crown. Multiple dental implants can be placed strategically in the jaw to support a bridge or dentures. 

Myth #1: Dental Implants Often Fail 

On rare occasions a dental implant may fail. But the truth is that dental implants have a 98% success rate in most cases. The key factors in a successful implant are accurate placement and proper follow-up care. The first part is up to your dentist. As long as your dentist has the experience and the technology to place your dental implant at the correct angle and depth, it has a high chance of success. 

The second part is up to you. As long as you follow your dentist’s instructions for follow-up care for your dental implant, including going into the office for recommended follow-up appointments, your implant is highly likely to be successful and last for the rest of your life. 

Myth #2: Many People Can’t Get Dental Implants

It is true that not every patient is immediately eligible to receive a dental implant. Some patients are ready for dental implants upon the first evaluation, and others may become ready with some preparation. The key is the condition of the jaw bone in the location where the dental implant(s) need to be placed. 

When a tooth is missing for a significant period of time, the support structures for that tooth (i.e. the jaw bone) will gradually weaken and eventually dissolve away. This means that the longer one or more teeth have been missing, the more likely that the bone will not be ready to receive a dental implant. 

However, there are solutions for patients who want dental implants, but have bone loss in the jaw. Bone grafting is a procedure that involves placing a bone fragment on top of the existing bone to thicken it and encourage regeneration of the bone tissue. This procedure has a high success rate and can often make it possible for the patient to receive one or more dental implants. Mini dental implants are another possibility. They are smaller and require less bone structure in the jaw, making them effective for patients with some bone loss. 

Myth #3: Dental Implant Placement is Painful 

Some patients are concerned that the procedure will be painful. But dental implants can be placed with just local anesthesia used to numb the area receiving the implant(s). For many patients this method is effective. For others, additional sedation may be helpful. An individualized plan can be created to make dental implant placement as comfortable as possible for you. 

Myth #4: Dental Implants are High Maintenance 

Many people expect that taking care of dental implants will be difficult or involved. In actuality, dental hygiene with dental implants is no different than it is for your natural teeth or traditional dentures. If you have one or more single dental implants, you simply brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. For implant supported dentures, you simply need to clean underneath fixed dentures or take out your removable dentures and clean them separately. Taking care of dental implants is relatively simple. 

R. Renan Williams, DDS believes that every patient deserves the highest standard of dental care and provides you with single dental implants, as well as implant supported bridges and dentures in the Richland Hills, TX area.