If you've decided to get dental implants to replace missing teeth, you’re making an excellent decision for your oral health. Dental implants look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than any other replacement option. Unfortunately, many people find themselves in an internet rabbit hole while researching their upcoming procedures, and they see stories that make them begin to second-guess their decisions. In this post, we’ll separate fact from fiction and go over some of the most common myths about dental implants.
Myth: Getting dental implants is a long, painful process.
Depending on the procedure you’re getting, the dental implant process can take quite a while to complete. That said, there are also dental implant procedures that can be completed in a single office visit. If you’re a candidate for one of these treatments, we’ll let you know during your consultation.
If you do need traditional dental implants, you can expect the process to take up to a year if you need supplemental procedures like bone grafting or a sinus lift. The old adage is true, though—good things come to those who wait! Once your dental implants are in place, you’ll have a lifelong restoration that preserves the health of your jaw, gums and remaining teeth.
In terms of pain, you won't feel anything during your dental implant placement because we numb the area with local anesthetic injections. You will experience some tenderness at the surgical site after your procedure, but most patients find that recovery from dental implant surgery is far less unpleasant than recovery from a tooth extraction. Any discomfort you may experience can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications.
Myth: Dental implants cause long-term complications.
Titanium dental implants were first used in the 1960s, and after all these decades, if there were long-term complications, we would know about them by now. Dental implants have a long history of being safe and improving patients’ oral health.
You may also come across stories of dental implant failure on the internet, but keep in mind that 98 percent of dental implant procedures are successful. As with any surgery, there is always a risk of infection and other complications, but these are exceedingly rare. Many of the horror stories you see online are from patients who sought cheap dental implants outside of the United States or who were not good candidates for the operation due to underlying health conditions. These risks are not issues when you get dental implants from a qualified provider, like our team at Midtown Dental Care Associates. Another common cause of implant failure is not following aftercare instructions. By simply following the instructions we give to you after your surgery, you can minimize your risk of complications.
Myth: Dental implants are overpriced.
There’s no doubt that dental implants usually cost more than bridges and dentures. The exception to this is a single-tooth dental implant, which is often comparable in price to a traditional bridge. The reason for this price difference is because dental implants are restorations that replace the root and the visible portion of the tooth, while traditional bridges and dentures only replace teeth above the gumline. This means there’s more involved in the process of getting dental implants, but it also means that when the process is finished you’ll have a more complete restoration.
Myth: Dental implants look fake.
Dental implants look completely natural when they’re custom-made to fit your facial features and proportions. You probably encounter people who have dental implants every single day, and you just don’t know it because they look so realistic! We never take a one-size-fits-all approach, so you can rest assured that no one will know that you have dental implants when you smile.
Get the facts about dental implants
If you’d like to have a consultation with the best implant dentists and find out if they’re right for you, contact us today at 212.685.4730 to set up your appointment.