Living with an incomplete smile can affect your look, self-esteem, and ability to speak and chew, so it is important to understand your options for tooth restoration. If you have lost one or more teeth due to an underlying dental condition or an injury, you may consider implants to restore your smile back to an appealing, functional state. Unfortunately, most people do not truly understand implant dentistry. With this guide, you will learn the truth behind a few common myths regarding implants.

Implants Fail

One of the most common myths regarding implants is that they are likely to fail. Fortunately, this is not true, since recent studies have shown implant dentistry is successful in 95 percent of cases.

Certain conditions and habits may prevent successful osseointegration or damage the actual implant. Due to this risk, it is important to note that some patients are not ideal candidates for implant dentistry. If you smoke, chew tobacco, have low bone density, or suffer with gum disease, you should talk to your dentist about alternatives for restoring your smile.

Implants Are Painful

You may experience a little fear and anxiety before any dental procedure, but it is important to note that placing implants should not be a frightening or painful experience.

A local anesthetic is administered before any incisions are made. This numbs not only your gum tissue, but your entire mouth and jaw bone. Once the titanium rod is placed into the jaw, the incision is carefully sutured. Your dentist will also give you a prescription medication to ease inflammation and pain after your procedure, ensuring you do not experience any discomfort during your recovery.

Another misconception is that chewing with your implants will be painful. Again, this is not an accurate statement. The implants will fuse into your jaw bone while the artificial tooth will function in the same manner as your other teeth. You will not experience any pain while chewing and you will be able to eat in a truly comfortable manner.

Implants Are Expensive

Losing a tooth that is in the back of side of your mouth may not seem like a problem. You may be able to eat and speak without any issues. However, a missing tooth can affect your oral health in more ways than you think.

A gap in your teeth increases your risk of tooth decay and cavities, since the framing teeth will not have the missing tooth for added support. These dental conditions may result in painful infections, further tooth loss, and higher costs for treatment.

Investing in implants will not only improve your look and self-esteem, but it will also reduce your risk of future oral health issues. For more information, contact a local dentist, such as John P Poovey DMD PC.