Are Dental Implants Safe In The Long Run?

Two Dental Implant Patients Smiling Together While Drinking Coffee

Dental implants are a great and commonly used option for replacing missing or damaged teeth in Allen, TX. As such, especially if you are experiencing tooth loss or damage and are interested in receiving dental implants, you may be wondering about their overall safety and longevity. A dentist can assist you in making the best choice in deciding to receive dental implants!  

 

The Facts About Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces natural tooth roots with metallic or ceramic, screwlike posts; damaged or missing teeth are replaced with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. Dental implants can be a great alternative to dentures or bridgework that don’t fit well and can be an option when a lack of natural teeth roots doesn’t allow for building denture or bridgework tooth replacements, as they act as natural tooth roots.

Dental implant surgery may involve several procedures and is largely dependent upon the type of implant and the condition of your existing jawbone. A major benefit of implants is creating solid support for your new teeth — a process that requires bone to heal tightly around the implant. Since jawbone healing requires time, the process can take several months in total.

As with any surgical procedure, risks are involved. However, they are easily remedied and often avoided altogether due to high level expertise from the dental staff and professionals. Risks can include:

  • Infection at the implant site
  • Injury or damage to surrounding structures, such as other teeth or blood vessels
  • Nerve damage, which can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips or chin
  • Sinus problems, often caused when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities

 

Are You Considering Dental Implants? Get An Expert!

Dental implants are, without a doubt, a great option for anyone looking to improve their smile. Overall, dental implant surgery poses minimal risk or safety issues, however, choosing the right dental professional with expertise in placing dental implants successfully, is of the utmost importance in ensuring the procedure is effective while circumventing any potential issues.

Get on track to a new smile today with dental implants with minimal safety issues in our office by Allen, TX by contacting our doctor, Dr. Rebecca Bork, and scheduling your next consultation today!

Can A Dental Implant Fall Out?

Dental Patient Missing His First Top Right Premolar

What are dental implants? A dental implant is surgically attached metal post to your jawbone as a support to an artificial tooth. After placed, a dentist or an oral surgeon screw in a replacement tooth to the implant. The success rate for a dental implant is high but there are still complications and failures that can occur, leading to an implant falling out in Allen, TX. Studies show that about 5 to 10 percent of dental implants fall out, immediately following the procedure or years down the road.

 

What Are The Dental Implant Failure Risk Factors?

Gum Disease

Damage caused to the jawbone and gums from an infection. You must have healthy gums in order to have dental implant surgery. If you have active gum disease, a dentist will not perform the procedure and they will recommend gum disease treatment.

Smoking

Restricts the blood flow to the gums, causing the healing processed to be slowed. Smokers’ likelihood of have dental implant failure rate up to 20 percent in recent studies. Just because you smoke doesn’t disqualify you from getting dental implants, it is encouraged that you stop smoking for a least a month to two months so that the implant and heal properly.

Insufficient Jawbone

You must have enough healthy jawbone for the implant to be placed surgically in your jaw. You may need to see a specialist to get bone grafting depending on the current health of your jawbone.

Medical Conditions

Autoimmune diseases or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes can be a possibility factor for dental implant failure if diagnosed, which are conditions that causes the healing process to be slower. Osseointegration is caused by slowing down the healing process and the implant integrates and fuses into your jawbone.

Poor Dental Maintenance

Good oral hygiene before and after a dental implant does cause an impact on the rate of success for the implant.

Inexperienced Doctor

Not all doctors are created equal. You may be referred to a preferred doctor by your dentist, but you do have the ultimate option to select whatever provider you would like to go to.

 

Are You Interested In Learning More?

Schedule your consultation with us today with our doctor, Dr. Rebecca Bork, in our office by Allen, TX, to start your journey to a brighter, healthier smile!