Dental implants are a popular option for replacing missing teeth. They offer several unique benefits, and most patients who opt for them are happy with their decision. Even still, not everyone understands how they are placed and work, resulting in some persisting myths. If you have missing teeth and are curious about dental implants, you need to be aware of the following four myths.
Myth #1: Implants Only Last for Ten Years
Unfortunately, many dental restoration options have a limited life span of around a decade or so. But dental implants are an exception, as multiple studies reveal that they can have a lifespan of several decades. These implants have a high success rate, but you must follow the postoperative instructions given to you after the procedure. If you fail to follow the instructions, the risk of implant failure increases.
Myth #2: Implants Look and Feel Unnatural
One advantage of dental implants is that they closely mimic the appearance and feel of your natural teeth. The implant portion is actually a titanium rod inserted directly into the jawbone. As time progresses, the rod and your bone become integrated, just as the roots of a natural tooth are integrated with the jawbone.
The prosthetic tooth portion consists of durable materials that closely mimic the look of your natural teeth. So much so, that even someone looking closely likely won’t be able to tell the difference between one of your natural teeth and your implant. So when you talk or chew, there is almost no difference between the function and feel of a natural tooth and a dental implant.
Myth #3: You Can’t Have an Implant if Your Natural Tooth Has been Gone for a While
Over time, missing teeth often cause a loss of bone density in that particular area of the jaw. If your missing tooth was lost or extracted several years ago or more, the jawbone may unfortunately not be able to support an implant.
But, it may still be possible to use a bone graft to strengthen the jaw sufficiently enough to hold the implant. A separate procedure is required to do the bone graft before the implant. Time must be allotted between the two procedures to allow the bone to grow and solidify. Your dentist can tell you whether you are a candidate for an implant with bone grafting.
Myth #4: Dental Implant Recovery Takes a Long Time
It’s true that a dental implant does need time to heal and integrate entirely with the jawbone so it can adequately support a prosthesis. Usually, this crucial process takes about three to six months. Suppose you require a bone grafting procedure before the placement of a dental implant. In that case, the new graft must complete its osseointegration (bone integration) process, adding another three to six months to the total treatment time. As such, it may take as much as a year to finish the entire process of placing dental implants. However, your implant should last you the rest of your life, making this a relatively short waiting period.
Find out more about Dental Implants
Inaccurate or outdated information or even confusion about other restoration options can lead to many myths about dental implants. Don’t let these myths keep you from exploring the possibility of dental implants for your missing teeth. Instead, contact JM Dental of Westbury today to learn more about your options. We can be reached at 516-334-3444 or contact us online.