Dental implants are devices that are used to cover up gaps in the teeth. They are effectively artificial teeth that are more flexible and easier to maintain than dentures. Dental implants involve having a titanium rod inserted into the gum so that it fuses with the jaw bone. When this is done, the area is allowed to heal before a crown (an artificial tooth) is placed on top of the rod and forms the chewing surface of the implant. Here are some common myths about dental implants and the facts about them.
Myth 1. Dental Implants are Painful
This is one of the most misleading myths about dental implants. Dental implants and the procedure to insert them is not painful at all. For starters, the procedure is done under local anesthesia so there is no pain at all for the victim. After the procedure is done, your local dentist is likely to give you a painkiller to help with any discomfort that you might explain. He or she will also place a temporary bridge over the implant to help you be able to chew food and live normally while the wound heals. This way, you experience no pain or discomfort at all.
Myth 2. The Procedure is Risky
Dental implant procedures have been refined over the last fifty years and are therefore safe. They also have a very high success rate of up to 98% if the implants are well taken care of. Assuming that you have this procedure done by a qualified and experienced dental expert, there is very little risk associated with this procedure and almost all patients heal quickly and without any complications.
Myth 3: Dental Implants are Expensive
People arrive at this wrong conclusion because they don’t take the time to examine the issue in depth. Dental implants are almost permanent and therefore rarely ever require to be replaced. Other options such as dentures and bridges may be less expensive to have on but you will need to replace them after a relatively short time (6-7 years). These repeated treatments end up costing as much, if not more than having dental implants. This is also not considering the time that you need to spend having these repeated procedures done.
Myth 4. Implants Take Long to Heal
This is also untrue. The healing time for dental implants varies from patient to patient. Some patients heal in a matter of weeks while the healing time may take a couple of months for others. Considering however the permanency of the process, this time period is relatively short as you never have to worry about the implant again for many years. This is other than the periodic visits to your dentist for dental exams.
Dr. Alex Rubinov of New York City is a highly experienced dental practitioner with years of experience performing dental implants. If you are thinking of having a dental implant procedure, contact his practice at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.