Dental implants are a unique solution for replacing missing teeth. Unlike dental bridges and dentures, dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth. In contrast, bridges and dentures only replace the visible portion of teeth. Why does it matter? By replacing the root and the crown of the tooth, dental implants not only restore function and appearance, they also help prevent and even reverse the loss of bone in the jaw. This results in a stronger bite and prevents changes to facial structures that cause a prematurely aged appearance.
Despite all of these clear benefits of dental implants, there are many myths and misunderstandings about them too. Here are four of the most common myths we hear about implants.
Myth: Getting Dental Implants Is Long and Painful
Not all dental implants require a long time in the dentist’s chair and multiple office visits. Teeth in a Day, for example, are an immediate solution that condenses the process down to a single appointment. For traditional dental implants, it’s true that you will need more office visits and if bone grafts are required, the process may take several more months. That said, dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth and once they’ve been placed, you can expect them to last a lifetime.
As far as the pain is concerned, you may feel some discomfort during the implant surgery if you are awake, but we use local anesthetic injections to numb the area, so you will not feel pain. In the days following the procedure, you may have swelling and soreness, but over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient for alleviating this.
Myth: Dental Implants Are Bad for Your Health
Have you heard that dental implants cause chronic headaches and migraines? This is a common misconception, but any evidence for it is anecdotal, not scientific. Dental implants have been used for decades (the first titanium implants were placed in 1965!), so if there were long-term health challenges associated with them, we would see it in scientific research by now.
Patients also worry about dental implant failure. While you may see horror stories about this online, it’s important to note that 98 percent of dental implant procedures are successful. Of the two percent of implants that fail, many are the result of patients with underlying health issues, who didn’t comply with aftercare instructions, or who traveled outside of the country for cheaper dental implants.
Myth: Dental Implants Are Overpriced
It might sound like we’re splitting hairs here, but dental implants are expensive—not overpriced. They are an investment in your long-term oral health and they cost what they do because they require multiple office visits, sometimes with more than one dental specialist, imaging and impressions, one or more surgical procedures, anesthesia, possible bone grafts, and fabricating prosthetic teeth. The reason why dental implants cost more than dentures and bridges is because there’s a lot more to them.
Myth: Dental Implants Look Fake
If you’re worried that dental implants look fake, don’t be. With the high-quality restorations we use at Integrated Aesthetic Dentistry, your new teeth will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. Indeed, dental implants are the most natural replacement for missing teeth because they’re the only option that fully replicates the structure of real teeth. After a while, you’ll forget that you even have dental implants because they feel so natural.
Learn the Facts About Dental Implants
Do you have questions about dental implants? Contact us today at 212-533-6782 to schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our doctors.