7 Questions to Ask Your Dentist about Dental Implants
A dental implant is one of the most popular ways to replace missing teeth. These implants imitate the behavior of your natural teeth roots, preserving jawbone tissue. A missing tooth is more than enough to ruin a smile. It can leave you feeling self-conscious during your interactions with others as you find yourself constantly worrying about what others think about your appearance.
Here are seven important questions you should ask your dentist if you are considering getting a dental implant.
1. How is a dental implant inserted?
Dental implants are metal screws that are typically made out of titanium. During the procedure, dentists attach the screw to a patient’s jawbone, then place a post on the external-facing end. The screw that goes into the patient’s jawbone is known as an implant. Oral health professionals often use implants in conjunction with crowns that go on the post.
2. How long will the implant last?
These dental prosthetics can last over 40 years with proper care. Taking care of implants is not particularly difficult since a specialized cleaning routine is not necessary. Brush twice daily, floss daily, and get dental checkups twice a year to ensure the dental implants last a lifetime.
3. What are the odds my body will reject the implant?
The odds of a patient’s body rejecting an implant are very low. When it does occur, it is typically because the patient is allergic to titanium or whatever material is in the implant. It is also possible for implants to fail if the patient does not have good oral hygiene habits.
Taking proper care of teeth before and after implant installation reduces the odds of implant failure.
4. Will the dental implant be visible when I smile?
There is no way for people to tell when a person has an implant. These prosthetics look and feel natural in a patient’s mouth. The crown on the post on the implant is customizable and can match the rest of the person’s natural teeth.
The only way to determine if a person has an implant is by performing a radiograph to detect the metal in the person’s mouth or have the patient say something.
5. Do implants require special care?
Absolutely not. That is one of the many reasons why an increasing number of people are choosing implants. You can take care of the implant the same way you take care of your natural teeth.
6. Can anyone get implants?
No. Patients need to go through a thorough examination before we can make a determination as to whether the person is a good candidate for implants. You need to have enough healthy jawbone tissue to hold the implant in place.
7. Are implants safe?
Yes. Dental implants are safe as long as the patient is healthy enough for the surgery. People who smoke should consider quitting before the surgery since it reduces the necessary time for healing.
Do you still have questions about getting a dental implant? Schedule an appointment with one of our dentist so you can explore your options.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Preferred Dental Center, request an appointment in our San Antonio dental office here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com. Or call us at (210) 822-8500.
