The Truth About Getting a Dental Implant Restoration in Middleton, OH
Tooth loss can impact your physical and psychological wellbeing in many ways. Alongside making it difficult or uncomfortable to chew and speak, tooth loss can leave you feeling like you’ve lost control over your smile’s health and appearance, which can trigger a sense of social isolation, depression, or low self-esteem.
Though tooth loss may be something you’d never thought you’d face in your life, you can start reclaiming your smile and self-esteem by gathering accurate knowledge about your tooth replacement options. Equipping yourself with knowledge can feel both calming and empowering, and can provide you with a sense of control as you take the lead in creating a positive tooth replacement experience.
If you’re seeking to move forward from tooth loss, dispelling misconceptions about dental implants is one of the best places to begin. Here are 8 of the most common myths about dental implants, with facts to help you decide if dental implants are right for your smile goals and needs.
1. Dental implant surgery is painful.
A dental implant restoration does require oral surgery (typically outpatient), though it’s likely not as invasive or painful as you may think. Modern sedation and surgical techniques work to minimize tissue damage, promote optimal healing, and provide you with the most calm and comfortable experience. Most patients are able to manage any discomfort with a few days of rest, by taking over-the-counter pain medication, and by gently swishing with a salt water solution. After two to three days following implant placement, many patients are able to return to work and normal daily activities.
2. Dental implants are high maintenance.
If you’re worried that dental implants will be a high-maintenance solution to tooth loss, you’ll be pleased to know that a dental implant restoration does not require special care. Just like natural teeth or other dental restorations, dental implants only need daily oral hygiene, healthy habits, routine dental visits, and the intermittent replacement of your prosthetic teeth to last for decades.
3. A dental implant restoration is only for people who have lost all of their teeth.
A dental implant restoration is a highly versatile treatment and can be customized to replace one, several, or an entire arch of missing teeth. For single-tooth replacement, your dentist will place one dental implant to support a customized porcelain crown. For several or an entire arch of teeth, your dentist will place between two to eight dental implants to support either a customized dental bridge or overdenture.
4. Dental implants are just cosmetic.
Though dental implants will undoubtedly restore and elevate your smile’s appearance, a dental implant restoration is far from shallow (literally). That’s because, like your natural teeth, dental implants originate beneath the gumline and fuse into your bone structure during healing (a process known as osseointegration). Put another way, dental implants replace the lost roots of natural teeth.
Without tooth roots to transfer the force of chewing, tooth loss can cause bone loss in the mouth, cheeks, and face by drastically reducing the amount of stimulation your jawbone receives. As the jaw lacks the stimulation it needs, the bone in the lower third of the face will gradually breakdown (called resorption) and shrink, which often leads to a hollow or slack appearance around the mouth and cheeks.
Because dental implants replace your entire tooth structure (including the root), a dental implant restoration can help you restore a sense of normalcy, reclaim your smile’s fullness and function, and preserve your oral and facial bone structure.
5. Dental implants look and feel fake.
Because they so closely replicate the structure, function, and appearance of natural teeth, dental implants are the strongest and most lifelike tooth replacement option. While osseointegration gives implants strength, the prosthetic crowns, bridges, and dentures that complete an implant restoration are custom-crafted to harmonize with your mouth, face, and the rest of your natural teeth. While it may take some time to adjust to the presence of your implant restoration, the majority of patients fully adapt to their implants and may even forget about them entirely.
6. Dental implants are prone to failure.
Dental implant failure is actually quite rare. In fact, with good oral health habits and tobacco abstinence, dental implants offer a 95% to 98% success rate.
7. I could never afford the cost of dental implants.
If you want to receive a dental implant restoration but aren’t sure how to afford your care, you may find a solution with CareCredit, a health and wellness credit card that you can use to pay for out-of-pocket dental and medical expenses. CareCredit offers a variety of financing options, including short-term and long-term plans with no interest or low monthly payments.*
8. Dental implants aren’t right for me.
If you’re seeking a long-lasting and natural-looking solution for tooth loss, dental implants may be right for you. As every patient’s situation is unique, the best way to discover if implants are right for your needs is to schedule a consultation with an experienced dentist.
With a passion for empowering patients to experience their highest potential for wellbeing, Dr. Lang is here to help you find a long-lasting tooth replacement option that restores your smile and aligns with your individual wants and needs. To discover your options for replacing missing teeth in Middleton, OH, contact our office to schedule an appointment today.
*Subject to credit approval and adherence to CareCredit’s terms and conditions.
