Dental Implant Surgery: 5 Very Common Misconceptions
If you’re thinking of dental implant surgery, you need to be aware of what’s true and what’s not. We’re clearing up the 5 most common misconceptions here.
Having a gorgeous smile is a massive concern for most people. However, achieving that perfect look can require dental implants.
The idea of having a full-mouth transformation, sometimes including placement within the jaw bone, is daunting. However, it’s important to keep in mind that dental implants can be life changing!
Not only do implants raise the self-esteem of most patients, they also correct larger dental issues like problems with bite alignment and changes in facial structure due to a loss of teeth. In the end, most patients decide that the procedure and healing process is well worth the lasting result they receive.
If you’re thinking of dental implant surgery, you need to be aware of what’s true and what’s not. With this blog, we’re clearing up the 5 most common misconceptions!
The dedicated staff of Regal Dentistry is here to keep you up to date and informed about any and all procedures you’re interested in, including dental implants!
Five Common Misconceptions about Dental Implants:
Dental implants are always painful
Though the procedure of placing dental implants is a more extensive one than, say, filling a cavity, it does not have to be painful!
The dental team at Regal Dentistry is skilled at making the process of placing and healing dental implants as pain-free as possible. Patients are never left high and dry to heal on their own without the aid of pain medication.
That being said, the healing process for dental implants is anywhere between two to six months.
Implants are noticeable!
The simple response to this misconception is that it is false. The visible part of dental implants is constructed from a type of ceramic meant to mimic your natural teeth. This means that the implants themselves are unlikely to be detected as “fake.”
As a part of your dental implant process, your dental team will make sure that the sizing and coloration of the teeth is a good aesthetic match for your face shape, mouth size, and appearance. If you’ve seen celebrities with over-sized, over-whitened implants, rest assured that this look is avoided for our patients.
There is no “one size fits all” method to dental implants. Your dental professional should spend time creating implants that are uniquely fitted your mouth. As mentioned earlier, this is the only way to ensure that your dental implants are absolutely indistinguishable from a natural tooth!
To view the work of Regal Dentistry, please do not hesitate to contact us to set up a consultation complete with a review of our portfolio of implants!
There is only one kind of dental implant.
This misconception is understandable, but here’s the rundown of the different types of implants. As with most things in life, you always have choices. In the case of dental implants, your dental team will explain which options are available to you and whether or not implants are even needed. In some cases, implants can be avoided through the use of dental veneers.
Dental implants come in three varieties: ones that are placed into the jaw bone and ones that are placed above the bone.
Implants placed inside of the bone are called Endosteal implants.
For this procedure, the teeth are either missing or removed to make way for the surgical-grade titanium posts that will be inserted into the jawbone. By inserting the posts into the jaw, it creates a stable foundation for the implants and creates a more permanent result.
The second type of dental implant is the Subperiosteal implant, which involves the placement of the implants without an anchor to the jaw bone.
This option is typically best for patients that have experienced a loss of jaw bone or simply do not wish to go through with bone reconstruction.
Finally, a third implant option is also available: transosteal implants.
Though this type of implant is exceedingly rare, as it requires the dental surgeon to access the jaw from the outside of a patient’s face, it requires a U-shaped device to be placed along the jaw bone so serve as the foundation for the implants.
Dental implants can be rejected.
The success rate of dental implant surgery is now at 90%, which means you can rest easy that your healing process and outcome are almost certain to be what you expect.
As the healing process continues, your implants will integrate with the tissue in your mouth– further anchoring them. Additionally, endosteal implants are anchored with titanium screws, which is a biocompatible metal. This means that rejection is an unlikely situation. As an added measure of assurance, allergies to titanium are exceedingly rare.
Of course, you and your dentist can review what you should expect and how to take care of your implants afterward.
Any dentist can place implants
This idea is blatantly false. As with most situations in the medical field, you will want to select a professional that is as qualified as possible to perform a procedure on you.
Though saving money is always a tempting option, be wary of dentists who are offering dental implants at a shockingly lower value than other professionals in the area. If you’ve heard the phrase “some things are too good to be true,” be sure that it also applies in this field!
When it comes to your dental health, and your appearance, it is best not to cut corners and hire an unqualified dentist to perform your procedure. In these circumstances, it is likely that complications like infections or misplacement can occur and the costs of repairing these mistakes may catch you off-guard.
You may also have heard that it takes “10,000 hours of practice” to be able an expert. In the case of performing dental implant procedures, this should not be overlooked. Selecting a novice dental professional is not a risk worth taking. Be sure to select a dental professional that is well-trained in restorative and surgical procedures to guarantee a great looking and safe result.
At Regal Dentistry, our staff prides itself on keeping up with the latest techniques and safety measures to maintain a base of patients that is proud to show off their smile!