6 Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants

Tooth loss has always been a main oral health concern. In fact, frightening statistics show that more than 36 million Americans don’t have any teeth and 120 million are missing at least one tooth. The numbers are expected to continue growing despite the improvements in dental care.

Most common causes of tooth loss are decay, gum disease, a result of injury, cancer or simply wear. For many years treatment to that problem was limited but today, dental implants are available.

Dental implants are small titanium screws that serve as the replacement for the root portions of missing natural teeth. Titanium has biocompatible properties and it fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Taking care of dental implants is just like you do for your natural teeth, which makes them the perfect solution for tooth replacement.

In this article, we’re going to answer the most commonly asked questions about dental implants.

What Is a Dental Implant? 

We already gave a short definition of dental implants above. Furthermore, they are medical devices that are surgically implemented into the jawbone to serve as an anchor for an artificial tooth. Dental implants can also support bridges or dentures. The material they are created is hypoallergenic and fully accepted by the human body.

Do I Need a Dental Implant And Can I Get One?

A metal implant is needed to replace a missing tooth. It could be done for a practical or cosmetic reason. It’s suitable for almost anyone. An implant gives back the ability of patients to chew and speak properly. Dental implants provide a fixed solution without damaging any healthy neighboring teeth in order to put a bridge over a gap.

To consider if you can get a dental implant you’d have to go through a physical checkup. Some risk factors could be diabetes, heavy smoking, infections or blood pressure problems. An X-ray is done as well, in order to determine is there’s sufficient bone substance. If all this is right and you are suitable, you can get a dental implant.

What Are The Advantages Of Dental Implants?

The biggest advantage is that they don’t impact other healthy teeth. Dental Implants provide a permanent, long-lasting solution. Also, they are highly aesthetic. Other types of dental works can also be fixed to implants if there are several teeth missing, even when the patient has no teeth at all.

With the highest-quality materials using a single implant can last longer than a bridge. Another great advantage is that as we already mentioned, dental implants are biocompatible, so no allergic reactions are expected.

What Are the Disadvantages of Dental Implants?

Honestly, there are no disadvantages to dental implants. There are only some factors that could increase the risk of a successful implant treatment or exclude the treatment in general. Patients with diabetes and other viral illnesses probably wouldn’t be able to get implants, in care, there isn’t sufficient bone available in the jaw. 

After the surgery, it’s crucial to pay attention to your oral hygiene. Smoking can reduce the lifespan of an implant in some cases. If you have any gum diseases, they need to be taken care of first, in order to prepare gums for the implants.

Who Places Dental Implants?

If you need to get implants, you have to look for an oral surgeon or a general dentist with advanced training, with experience as it could be simple, but it’s still surgery and has some risks. Our family dentistry office in Rio Rancho provides the best dental implant services in  Albuquerque.

How Long Dental Implants Last?

After their integration with the bone is completed successfully, implants and bone are unified. They could last for over 10 years or even a lifetime. This integration process takes place in the first months. If the implant stays in the bone after that, it becomes permanent. 

Later on, some illnesses or anatomic changes can cause an implant to loosen. In case of any emergencies Dr. Gallegos provides emergency dental care, so he can take care right when the problem occurs. 

Conclusion

Dental implants are the standard care for the replacement of missing teeth. It’s crucial to discuss all the risks, benefits and your needs with your dentist when considering surgery. We answered some of the most commonly asked questions about dental implants. 

If you still have any concerns about costs, treatment planning or the desired results, contact Gallegos Family Dentistry right away to receive all the information you need.