7 Facts You Should Know Before Investing in Dental Implants

The decision to replace a missing tooth can be intimidating. It's a major investment for most people, but it is a procedure many dentists prefer over dental bridges.

Dental implants come with a surprising number of benefits that are worth the investment. Here are 7 things you should know if you are planning to get dental implants.

1. Preserves Contour of the Face

Missing teeth cause the jawbone to shift. Implants can help preserve the contour of your face.

The severity of the shift depends on where the missing tooth is located in your mouth. The number of teeth missing is also a major factor.

Patients with dentures have experience with this each time they remove their 'teeth.' The mouth appears to shrink when the dentures are removed.

The face looks shorter and distorted. One or two missing teeth won't create this dramatic impact but the teeth around the missing spaces will begin to shift.

When this happens the contours of your face will change to accommodate the changes in your mouth. Dental implants help prevent this by adding structure back to your mouth.

2. Surgery Requires Sedation

Dental implants are a type of minor oral surgery. This permanent procedure requires dentists to install a screw into the bone of your jaw.

Doing so makes the implant more durable and able to withstand the same daily wear and tear as your natural teeth. It also means there are the normal risks that come with surgery.

In very rare situations, patients may be exposed to nerve damage or infection.

3. Implants are Permanent

Dental implants are embedded into the mouth during surgery. When a tooth falls out, bone, ligaments, and nerves begin to deteriorate underneath.

The installed metal titanium post replaces these to provide strong support. Over time, your bone begins to grow around this post further securing it into place.

A crown is screwed and cemented onto the metal titanium post after a few months when the bone begins to grow around it. This process is called osseointegration.

4. The Healing Process

The entire dental implant process can take anywhere from 5 to 8 months. As long as you follow the dentist's directions while the post heals, expect a quick recovery.

The dental implants procedure itself requires two separate surgeries which means two separate healing periods. Surgeons commonly use stitches that self dissolve around the surgical site.

If the stitches don't self-dissolve, you'll need to return to have them professionally removed. Plan to eat soft foods as your mouth will likely be sore after each procedure.

Avoid smoking as it has been known to affect how well the procedure takes in your mouth. If for some reason the post doesn't heal properly in your bone, the surgeon will need to remove the implant and restart at a later date.

Patients can usually try the process again in just a few months.

5. The Maintenance Process

Taking care of a dental implant is very similar to caring for your natural teeth. Dental implants require flossing twice each day and regular brushing.

Opt for dental floss made for implants or unwaxed tape. Consider a nylon interdental brush for places around the implant that are hard to reach.

In most cases, a soft bristle brush is a viable option.

Oral irrigators provide the option for deep cleaning around the implant.

Always use a non-abrasive toothpaste on your implant to help preserve its appearance. Unfortunately, implants can't be whitened so take proper care to keep it looking great.

Most implant crowns are made of stain-resistant materials but its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to caring for your implant investment.

Visit your dentist regularly so that you can have the crown and surgical area inspected. Dentists can provide deep cleaning services to ensure the implant is well cared for.

6. Just Like Regular Teeth

Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants are almost identical to your natural teeth. They offer the same strength allowing you to eat the same foods as before the procedure.

But natural teeth aren't invincible. After you make an investment in a dental implant, you need to care for your mouth more than you did before.

Avoid bad habits that could cause your teeth to crack or lead to cavities. Chewing hard ice or candy are two easy ways to crack your crown.

The entire implant may not have to be removed by the price of a new crown will not be cheap. Err on the side of caution by staying away from any foods known to crack natural teeth.

7. Not Covered By Insurance

Dental implants are not usually covered by insurance. In some cases, policies offer discounts for specialized procedures like dental implants.

It's best to prepare in advance by saving up for the cost of the implant. Ask your dentist about payment plans if you aren't prepared to make the payment in full.

Bridges are a common choice for patients because they usually are covered by insurance and have a lower cost upfront. But bridges actually cost more in the long run.

A bridge needs to be replaced a minimum of every ten years. That time estimate assumes there is no decay beneath the crown where the natural tooth remains.

Dental implants give you a more reliable solution to missing teeth that won't require filing down perfectly healthy natural teeth.

Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. Pregnant women and anyone with a weak immune system should avoid this kind of surgical procedure.

If you're not sure where you stand, set up a consultation with your dentist to discuss your options. Dentists need your full medical history to give you the best solutions for your situation.