Dental implants are not only the future of dental prosthetics, but they are literally changing people’s perception of both tooth loss and tooth restoration. Implants are not a new idea, but the rapid advancements in medical science have made them the most viable solution for tooth replacement for many of our patients. Other means of replacing teeth have also advanced, which is probably why some of our patients are still attached to older and more traditional false teeth. The challenge with bridges and dentures is that bridges need to be attached using dental cement, and dentures are a removable solution that involves things like adhesives.
Typically when a person comes in with concerns about a dental implant it is because they have not had a chance to sit down and become educated about the benefits, and life improvements they can expect from their implant. When you start with a product that is more durable, stronger, and looks much more lifelike than the other options, you are taking a step in the right direction. Consider also, that dental implants are surgically installed by a skilled dentist or oral surgeon. This makes them a permanent solution that you never have to worry about removing.
When getting dental implants for the first time, there are a lot of questions that our patients have. This is natural when you consider that dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss, which means you will live with the product for a very long time. The three basic areas of concern that our patients routinely express are regarding longevity and how long an implant will last, success rates for the implants, and what kind of recovery time they should expect after the process. The first question is actually the hardest to answer because of the number of unknowns and variables that need to be factored in. What we do know is that implants can last anywhere between seven and thirty years (or even a lifetime) depending on how well you take care of your mouth, including your gums. If you get tooth diseases and infections or your jaw deteriorates, this can negatively influence their longevity. We also know for sure that dental implants have a success rate of around 98% though other places have reported lower success averaging around 93%. Naturally there are factors that are associated with how well the implants succeed as well, which we will discuss during the appointments.
Every time we do a dental implant installation we prefer to do it in stages. This allows us to do two things. First it allows us to make sure that you are getting the best installation possible, with the maximum opportunity for success. Between each of the stages, we can make sure to check the work, and make any minor modifications. The second thing this allows us to do is give you between ten and fourteen days between each of the stage to heal and recover. After the procedures are completed, you will only need to take another two weeks, watching your diet, to continue healing. Once we are done, you will have a beautiful looking replacement tooth that is incredibly durable.