What Is The Downside Of Dental Implants?

If you have missing teeth, you’ve probably seen dental implant advertising on media and wondered if you qualify. Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant can enhance a patient’s health and quality of life substantially. However, there may be certain drawbacks to consider with implants. Fortunately, when you get dental implants from Burbank Dental Lab, the knowledgeable staff assist you through the dental implant procedure and guarantee that you reach your objectives.

What Exactly Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are substitute dental roots using metal posts to fix broken or missing teeth with restorative artificial teeth which appear and function similar to their natural counterparts. In contrast to other tooth replacement techniques, dental implants can effectively deter your remaining teeth from shifting due to a gap. Dental implants can provide a more comfortable alternative to bridgework or dentures, as well as an option when natural tooth roots are unavailable for replacement. Dental implant technology has evolved through the years to such an extent wherein implant failures have become relatively rare.

Procedure For Placing Dental Implants

The dental implant procedure is often conducted as an outpatient treatment in phases, with recovery time between surgeries. From start to end, the complete procedure might take many months. But most of that time is spent recovering and awaiting new bone formation around your jaw. Certain processes may be merged depending on the circumstances, the precise treatment performed, or the materials utilized. The three major stages of standard dental implant procedure include:

• Implant Placement – Your dental surgeon may cut a slit in your gum to reveal the jawbone and place the implant during the procedure. Perforations in the bone are drilled to accommodate the implant metal post. The post is placed deeper into the bone since that will act as the dental root.
• Attaching The Abutment – Once the implant post integrates into your jawbone over the next few months, the abutment may require extra surgery to be placed. It refers to the section to which the crown will finally be attached. This small surgery is often performed in an outpatient setting using local sedation. In certain circumstances, the abutment is linked to the implant metal post at the time the post is inserted, eliminating the need for an additional surgical procedure.
• Crown Attachment – Further oral imprints of your remaining teeth will be taken once your gums have healed. These imprints are utilized to develop the crown or false tooth. The crown, however, cannot be implanted unless your jawbone grows strong enough to hold it.

Can Dental Implants Last Forever?

With good oral hygiene and periodic dental exams, the implant screw or post can last a lifetime. The abutment, on the other hand, may often last beyond 15 years before needing to be replaced due to wear and tear. Maintaining good oral care and using it sparingly, on the other hand, might extend the life of the abutment in excess of the warranty period. The positioning of the mouth can also play a role in gauging the life of dental implants. Implants in the back of the mouth are utilized more actively in chewing, thus they can be more vulnerable to wear as compared to their counterparts in the front.

Eligibility For Dental Implants

Although dental implants can be suitable for the great majority of patients, there are some exceptions where the treatment may not be feasible. The following are some basic qualifying criteria:

• Strong gums with sufficient bone to support the implant.
• Age above 18 years is typically preferred to confirm a completely developed and firm oral foundation.
• Absence of any comorbidity including elevated blood pressure or uncontrolled sugar levels.
• Preferably no alcohol or tobacco use for patients to promote faster healing and minimize the risk for infections.

The Downside Of Dental Implants

The most prevalent downside of choosing dental implants is that the procedure is an expensive surgery that may not be usually covered by your insurance. Other possible downsides of dental implants may include

• Surgery-related pain, inflammation, and bleeding
• Infection caused by cracks and looseness
• Side effects of anesthesia, such as vomiting and nausea
• Bone rejection in supporting the implants
• Time-consuming procedure owing to the extended healing period and the need for greater patient commitment

Precautions After Dental Implants

Even if you have dental implant surgery in one or more phases, you may encounter a few of the regular side effects of any surgical procedure. To speed up the recovery following a dental implant, closely adhere to the aftercare guidelines prescribed by your dentist. Initially, avoiding crunchy or hot meals and gently rinsing with a lukewarm brine solution may help prevent infection. Excessive discomfort may be relieved by applying cold compresses as advised or by taking pain relievers as prescribed.