6 Amazing Facts You Should Know About Dental Implants

If you’ve recently lost one or several teeth and are currently thinking about replacing them, you’ve most likely considered dental implants. Dental implants are a perfect and natural-looking solution for restoring your smile to its former glory. Dental implants also substitute the roots of your missing teeth and can be customized to look just like your natural pearly whites. 

Below are six amazing facts about dental implants, you probably didn’t know about. 

According to the Foundation for Oral Rehabilitation, over 240 million adults all over the world are missing some or all of their real teeth. Most people will lose at least one adult tooth when reaching the age of 35. And after the age of 75, more than 20% of older people will be missing all of their permanent teeth. Dental implants can replace all of your teeth, whether you’re missing back molars or central incisors. 

A widespread myth is that dental implants are the same as dental veneers. In reality, dental implants are surgical components that bond naturally to your jawbone and support dental prostheses like crowns, bridges, and dentures. The bone that surrounds the implant must first heal before any restorative options can be placed on the implant. 

The dental implant surgery success rate is reported 90 to 95% high. Dental implant surgery has relatively low risk with very rare complications. However, old age and bad bone health can contribute to an increased risk of surgery failure. Patients may experience mild pain in the implant area and minor swelling and bruising in their face. Bleeding gums and sensitivity after the surgery is also normal and will subside in a few days. If you don’t have any serious health problems that may worsen bleeding, you should undergo dental implant surgery without any issues. 

Though it may sound like a serious thing, bone grafting is a relatively minor procedure aimed at improving your success rate of getting dental implants. The bone graft helps create a more solid foundation for an implant. Typically a tiny portion of bone is removed from another part of your body and used to replace a missing or damaged bone in your jaw. There is also an alternative to using your own bone called synthetic bone grafts. You’ll be ready to continue with the dental implant surgery, once your jawbone heals. 

Caring for your mouth after getting dental implants is simple. The important thing is to keep the area clean to minimize the risk of infection. The easiest way to disinfect your mouth after dental implant surgery is by rinsing with salt water. Repeat this a few times a day, particularly after eating. It’s also better to follow a soft diet. Avoid eating any foods that may damage the newly installed implant. If you have sensitive gums, limit foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold. And consider using over-the-counter pain relievers to ease any discomfort.  

Dental implants not only resemble your natural teeth in appearance, but they also perform just as well. If you have decreased bite strength, dental implants can help you solve this problem. Titanium dental implants are a durable and permanent solution that acts as an anchor in your teeth for dentures, bridges, and crowns. Besides, unlike your real teeth, dental implants are immune to cavities.