Myths About Dental Implants

Dental implants are deemed as the approved care for tooth loss nowadays. These are perceived as the best dental restoration option anyone can get. They offer very valuable benefits such as in terms of comfort, oral function and health, aesthetics and longevity.

While people hear a lot of false facts about dental implants that make people think twice, dental implants are an extremely beneficial procedure in the right circumstances. People need all of the information first, before getting a dental implant so there are no regrets in the future.

Here are 5 myths about dental implants:

Myth 1: I am too old to be a candidate for dental implants

While there are many reasons why someone might be too old for dental implants, age is not really a factor. In fact, dental implants have been successful for patients who are even well into their 90s. It is definitely a great feeling to go from a pair of ill-fitted dentures to a durable dental implant.

Even patients with diabetes, heart disease and other health issues are able to successfully get dental implants. With newer techniques, we are now able to perform dental implants on those with less-than-ideal bone density.

Myth 2: Dental implants are painful

Many people are fearful of getting dental implants because they believe that the procedure will be painful. The truth is that a dental implant placement surgery is about as equally uncomfortable as a simple dental extraction.

During the procedure, we will use a local anesthetic to numb the area so that the patient is comfortable. While there may be some pain associated with the healing of the implant, we will work with the patient and recommend appropriate medications for pain control.

Myth 3: Dental implants can cause headaches

There are actually no clinical researchers that support this statement. In addition to this, the headache one may feel after the procedure might be due to patients dealing with TMJ disorder or due to some surgical complications. In general, the only pain after a dental implant procedure will be a minor soreness.

Myth 4: Dental implants are expensive

Dental implants will have a more expensive upfront cost than other options for replacing teeth. However, the dental implants might not be as expensive as one thinks. In fact, the price can vary substantially based on the overall state of the patient’s oral health. Plus, dental implants are meant to last for at least 10 years, so people are investing for the long-term.

Myth 5: Bridges are better than implants

If an individual is missing teeth, there are various ways to replace them. Dental implants and fixed bridges are the two most common ways to do this. With a bridge, we shave down the teeth next to the missing teeth and place a single unit bridge over the reduced teeth. This bridge has a false tooth or multiple false teeth between the natural teeth.

In many cases, implants are a better option than bridges because they preserve the structure of the adjacent teeth. Bridges can cause the teeth around the missing teeth to bear more stresses. This extra stress can cause the bridge to fail over time and need replacement.