An Implant Dentist Busts 4 Myths About Dental Implants

You’re missing a few teeth, and it has made an impact on your life. It’s harder to chew some of your favorite foods like steak. You’re more self-conscious of the gaps in your smile. You want to replace those missing teeth, but you’re not sure whether to choose dental implants, bridges, or dentures. You’ve heard some awful rumors about implants, so you’re hesitant to choose them. However, most of the negative things you’ve heard are just myths. An implant dentist is here to disprove 4 myths about dental implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small titanium posts that look kind of like a screw. They are inserted directly into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Then, any number of restorations, such as a crown or a bridge, can be placed over the implant to make it look exactly like a natural tooth. The implant post itself fuses to your jawbone, mimicking the root of a tooth. Your implant will look and feel exactly like a natural healthy tooth! Sometimes, however, dental implants get a bad rap. Let’s look at 4 myths about implants and bust them:

Bridges Are Better Than Implants

Bridges are a perfectly viable option to replacing missing teeth, but they can damage your surrounding teeth. When you get a bridge, your teeth next to the missing teeth are shaved down and the bridge is placed over them. The bridge holds one or more false teeth in place between the remaining teeth. The surrounding teeth bear the stress of holding up the false teeth. This can cause the bridge to collapse over time and need to be replaced. However, implants are designed to last for several decades, and do not compromise the structure of any other teeth.

Dental Implants Are Painful

Many people fear implants because they believe the procedure will hurt. In actuality, most patients experience very little pain. Your dentist or oral surgeon will administer local anesthetic to numb your mouth during the procedure. If you are particularly anxious, they may offer mild sedation to calm you down. As with any surgical procedure, there will be some soreness during the healing process, but your dentist should prescribe you enough medication that it shouldn’t be a problem.

Implants Will Look Different from Your Natural Teeth

Once a restoration is placed over your implant, it should be indistinguishable from a natural tooth. The restoration can be shaded to match the color of your existing teeth so your smile will look perfectly normal. Unless you tell people, no one will even be able to tell you had work done!

Buying Implants for Cheap Is Alright

Bargain implant centers have started popping up recently, offering a cheaper alternative to traditional implants. However, they may be using sub-par materials. Since these materials fuse to your jawbone and become part of your anatomy, you want them to be legitimate. Otherwise, they could require extensive surgery to remove. It’s best to see your dentist for a quality implant that will last.

Dental implants might seem scary and unfamiliar at first, but ultimately, they are a great solution to replace missing teeth. Don’t let the rumors keep you from filling in those gaps in your smile. Talk to your dentist today about whether implants are right for you!

About the Author

Dr. Jayme Martinez earned his DDS from Baylor College of Dentistry. He regularly pursues continuing education to sharpen his skills, including advanced skills such as implant dentistry. He is also certified in nitrous oxide and Level 1 Sedation to soothe patients’ anxieties during dental procedures. If you would like to ask him if you would be a good candidate for dental implants, call him at (214)-303-9969 or click here.