Does Dental Implants Have Side Effects?

Dental Implants, also known as tooth-supported prosthetics, have become the most common and reliable way to replace missing teeth. In the past, a patient's only option to regain a healthy set of teeth was to wear dentures or bridges for the remaining teeth. Today, however, dental implants offer patients the opportunity to regain a confident smile without any additional surgery. They work just like natural teeth, but provide the same benefits as other dentures. For this reason, they have proven to be very successful in dental health treatment.

As with any medical procedure, dental implants carry some risk. The biggest of these is infection, which is typically caused by bacteria entering into the implant and burrowing along the surface. To prevent this, the healthcare team uses a special antimicrobial gel to combat the growth of bacteria. If infection does occur, patients may need to receive additional antibiotics.

One of the key ways in which Dental Implants improve oral health is that they provide a permanent, functional replacement to a missing tooth. While dentures may be comfortable, may provide a certain amount of comfort, and can help improve oral health, they do not address the underlying issues behind missing teeth. An implant serves as a durable, functional replacement that closely matches the original tooth root. Patients find that over time, their implants grow to match the size and shape of their original teeth, providing a natural looking, long-lasting smile.

Another way in which implants improve oral health is that they are designed to last a lifetime. Dentures are not designed to break or decay away over time, but an implant dentist will take special precautions to ensure the longevity of your dental implant. During the placement of the implant, the patient will undergo a series of preoperative imaging tests to determine how the implant will fit into the mouth. The tests will determine the best location for the implant so it can be securely placed where it is supposed to go.

As long as the dental implant remains in good condition, a patient will not experience any major problems associated with permanent teeth. There may be times when the implant becomes slightly loose, requiring that it be tightened up a bit with some local anesthesia before placement. But overall, most implants can last a lifetime and provide a sense of fullness and function that not even dentures can offer.

When considering the benefits of dental implants over traditional denture options, it is important to remember that an implant is a permanent fixture in the mouth. It will be with you for the rest of your life. Unlike dentures, an implant will not slip or break, and there will be no need to replace them every few years. In fact, in many cases, an implant can help to prolong the lives of those who have undergone this type of treatment.