If you’re just learning about dental implants for the very first time, there’s no need to worry. Our team is happy to answer any and all questions you may have about treatment. Over the years, our dentists have gotten many questions regarding this revolutionary method of tooth replacement. Below, you can find a handful of these questions and detailed answers from Dr. Sommers. If you have other questions that aren’t listed, please call our office to set up an implant consultation.
Why do people like dental implants so much?
Over the past couple decades, dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement thanks to their longevity, function, esthetics, and reliability. Many patients appreciate the fact that they can eat foods that are tough or crunchy in nature, which other tooth replacement options do not allow. Additionally, their reliability means they can treat them much like their original teeth. They can even brush and floss them as they did previously for their natural teeth, meaning they won’t have to make dramatic changes to their routine once they have fully healed.
Are there restrictions that will prevent me from receiving dental implants?
There are some necessary conditions patients must follow if they want their dental implant treatment to be a success. For example, they will need to have sufficient bone tissue for the implant posts to integrate inside of. The health of your gums also plays a major role as gum disease can negatively affect the healing process. If you use tobacco in any form, you’ll need to discontinue it as it can also affect healing of the implant inside the soft tissue. As long as you have good oral and overall health as well as enough bone tissue, you should be eligible for dental implants.
How do I maintain my dental implants?
One of the benefits of dental implants is that they don’t require much more care than natural teeth do. As long as you brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, floss at least once a day, and maintain routine visits at our office for exams and cleanings, you can expect your dental implants to last for many decades. What’s even more incredible is that the ceramic restoration covering your implant will not develop decay since it is made from inorganic material. With that said, you do not want to skip your at-home oral care as the gum tissue surrounding the implant can still become damaged.
Can dental implants fail?
While the success rate for dental implants is incredibly high, there are instances where an implant can fail. If the patient uses tobacco during the healing phase of treatment (i.e. immediately after surgery) or the implants were placed without confirming the integrity of the bone tissue, the body can reject it and cause it to fall out or require extraction. However, because our dentists partner with specialists in the area for your care, it’s extremely unlikely that your implants will fail when you follow all of our aftercare instructions.