Dental implants are the highest quality dental prosthetics, providing a natural looking and functioning replacement for missing teeth. When everything goes well, dental implants can last a lifetime. But when it doesn’t, you may end up with some problems.
How can you avoid dental implant mishaps? Here’s what you should know.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant replaces a natural tooth root. It is surgically placed in the socket where a tooth is missing or has been extracted. The implant fuses with the jaw bone, providing an anchor to support a dental prosthetic. A single implant can replace one tooth and multiple implants can support a bridge or dentures to replace multiple teeth.
Going to a Dentist With Little Experience
The success of dental implants relies significantly on proper placement. Your chances of success are greatly increased when you go to a dentist who has plenty of experience with dental implant placement or a specialist such as a periodontist. This ensures that your implant(s) are placed at the correct angle and depth.
Rushing Into Dental Implants Without Proper Preparation
Another important factor in the success of a dental implant is bone structure in your jaw. After a tooth is lost or extracted the jaw bone that supported the tooth begins to weaken and will eventually resorb (dissolve) over time. If you do not have sufficient bone width and density, there is a high risk of failure. But with the right preparation, such as a bone graft to thicken and regenerate lost bone tissue, a dental implant can be placed successfully in many cases.
Forgoing Anesthesia/Sedation
In many cases local anesthesia provides the necessary comfort to place dental implants. The nerves are numbed so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. Most patients have a positive experience with local anesthesia, however, if you feel particularly nervous or anxious, additional sedation may be in your best interest to ensure that you have a more relaxing and stress-free experience. Nitrous oxide, conscious oral sedation, and IV sedation are all options for additional relaxation assistance during dental implant placement. These may also be helpful if you are receiving multiple dental implants in a single appointment.
Not Following Post-Operative Instructions
Proper care after your dental implant placement procedure is crucial to the success of your dental implants. It is necessary to take care of the implant site according to your periodontist’s instructions and avoid irritation or injury. You will need to eat a soft diet for the first few days following your procedure and avoid hot or spicy foods. It is also important that you return to your periodontist for follow-up appointments to check your healing and to ensure that your implant is sufficiently bonding with the bone of your jaw.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
What is the success rate of dental implants?
With an experienced periodontist, the success rate of a dental implant is 98%. As long as you follow post-op instructions and avoid the other mistakes listed above, you are highly likely to experience dental implant success.
How long do dental implants last?
Once a dental implant successfully fuses with the bone, the bond can last for 30 years to a lifetime. The dental prosthetic (crown, bridge, or dentures) may need to be replaced after 10-15 years due to natural wear and tear, but the implant itself will remain in place.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re interested in dental implants, schedule a consultation with Hudson Valley Periodontics & Implantology. We can evaluate your teeth and jaw to determine if dental implants are the right tooth restoration option for you.
To learn more, call 845-623-6666 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.