Tooth loss can detract from your daily life in several ways. For instance, you might struggle to eat or speak normally, or might develop anxiety if you’re overly concerned about being judged for the changes to your appearance.
Fortunately, your dentist can rebuild your smile with dental implants, but you might avoid this treatment if you’re concerned that the procedure might be unsafe. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect so you can set your concerns aside!
What Are Dental Implants?
Unlike dentures and dental bridges, which rely on a firm connection with your gum tissues or healthy teeth in your mouth, these restorations are embedded into your jawbone. Then, it can take several months to recover because your mouth must generate enough new bone growth to fuse with the support rod of your implant, making it a more permanent part of your mouth.
A single implant is typically capped with a dental crown, and several missing teeth can be replaced with specialized bridges or dentures that are designed to attach to several surgically placed support rods in your mouth.
Are Dental Implants Considered Safe?
It’s normal to feel nervous about a major surgical procedure, such as dental implant placement, and many patients want to know how safe the treatment usually is before proceeding. However, it’s typically considered safe when it’s performed by a trained professional. Although a specialist is sometimes required for this surgery, many general dentists also complete specialized training or certification programs to offer this service in their offices.
Furthermore, this treatment has an incredibly high success rate of over 90%, meaning you’re unlikely to develop complications as long as you follow your provider’s post-operative directions carefully.
What Are the Potential Risks of Getting Dental Implants?
Although most patients who get dental implants recover without issues, this treatment can potentially cause adverse effects, such as:
- Infection. Bacteria in your mouth can penetrate and infect the connective and bone tissues around the surgical site, which can cause the rod placed there to become destabilized or dislodged.
- Injury. There’s a chance the support rod placed in your jaw could damage surrounding teeth or blood vessels, causing harm.
- Nerve damage. A restoration that presses on nerves in your teeth or jaw can result in numbness or tingling in your mouth, lips, or chin.
- Sinus concerns. Implants in the upper arch sometimes poke into a sinus cavity and cause problems.
If you’re considering dental implants, finding a qualified provider to perform the procedure can help reduce the likelihood of potential problems. This can provide much-needed peace of mind regarding your upcoming treatment.
Meet the Author
Dr. Rupeshwar Renkuntla has 20 years of experience helping people of all ages enhance their lives by improving their oral health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery in Oklahoma, and today, is a valued member of the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association, so you can trust that your smile is in good hands. He offers a comprehensive menu of services under one roof, and can both place and restore dental implants in the office. You can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 989-2832.