Are dental implants safe? Many Australians ask that question when considering this oral procedure.
This blog will thoroughly explain dental implants, including the benefits, risks, and pertinent information to help you decide whether this process will help you achieve long-term dental health.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant (artificial tooth root) is a titanium screw that replaces your missing tooth’s roots. Your dental practitioner attaches the implant to your jaw bone, where the old roots previously latched onto.
An implant helps stabilise a bridge, crown, or denture. Bones., which develop around the implant as you age, support the artificial root.
Dentists prescribe dental implants for people with one or several missing teeth. They provide robust, enduring foundations for artificial teeth, improve chewing and speaking, enhance jawbone health, and enhance natural-looking smiles.
What Are Dental Implants Made Of?
If you’re worried about a dental implant, you can put your fears to rest. This procedure, with its nearly 100% success rate, is a safe, reliable alternative to restoring your smile and oral health.
The secret lies in a dental implant’s titanium component, a biocompatible metal that resists corrosion, seldom causes allergic reactions, and doesn’t react with bodily fluids. Titanium is a resilient metal that the bones consider a naturally-occurring substance.
Dental clinics use dental-grade porcelain and other sturdy materials to create safe dental implant crowns, which require regular brushing and checkups to maintain long-term function.
The Dental Implantation Procedure
Highly skilled and experienced practitioners ensure dental implant procedures are safe and convenient for patients, so there’s no need to worry. You’re in safe hands, especially if a trusted, reputable dentist performs the procedure.
The dental implantation steps include the following:
- Dental exam: A periodontist is a dental professional who specialises in installing dental implants. He will perform X-rays and take 3D images of your oral cavity. Your practitioner will discuss your medical history, including allergies and previous surgeries.
A comprehensive analysis of your dental and overall health allows your dentist to create a personalised treatment plan aligned with your unique objectives and identify potential risks that make dental implants unsuitable. He can also implement interventions to accommodate any existing medical conditions.
For instance, some patients with cardiovascular issues require antibiotics before their dental implant procedure to prevent infection. The dental exam is a thorough, meticulous process that ensures a smooth, comfortable treatment.
- Anaesthesia: Your dentist will administer local anaesthesia to numb the jaw area where he will install the dental implant. Some patients may require sedation or general anaesthesia.
- Tooth extraction: Your practitioner will extract your damaged, decayed, or non-restorable tooth. He will loosen it using a dental elevator and remove it using tooth extraction forceps.
- Bone grafting: Some patients with thin or soft jawbones require bone grafting. This process restores these bones and provides a sturdy foundation that ensures long-term results.
Your dentist will perform either a natural (the base is derived from another body part) or synthetic bone graft (a bone substitute is used to promote new bone growth).
- Dental implant placement: Your practitioner will cut your gum to reveal the bone. He will drill holes into the bone where he will place your dental implant post (artificial tooth root). Your dentist will place a temporary denture to fill your missing tooth gap. You can remove and clean this denture before sleeping.
- Osseointegration: This process solidifies the connection between the implant and the bone. The latter will slowly assimilate into your jawbone over the next several months and provide a strong, resilient foundation for your new artificial tooth.
- Abutment placement: Some patients may require an abutment, which connects the dental implant post (screw) to the crown, bridge, or denture. Your dentist will reopen your gums, connect the abutment to the implant, and close the gum tissue. You must allow your gums to heal for two weeks before your practitioner attaches your artificial tooth.
- Artificial tooth installation: Your dentist will make impressions of your oral cavity before installing your artificial tooth. He will ensure your jawbone is durable enough to support it.
Aftercare Tips
Patients may experience discomfort, including facial swelling, skin or gum bruising, pain, or minor bleeding, during or after their dental implant procedure,
Depending on your situation, your dentist may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to relieve discomfort.
We strongly recommend that patients go home and rest immediately after the procedure. Please avoid driving if you underwent sedation or general anaesthesia because you may still feel groggy afterwards. You can resume your daily routine after 24 hours.
Do’s:
- Eat only soft foods, such as mashed potatoes, tofu, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, or soft pasta for a week.
- Rinse your mouth with your dentist’s prescribed mouthwash thrice over the next 24 hours.
- If you feel any discomfort, take prescribed medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Don’ts:
- Please avoid consuming hot foods and drinks 24 hours after your procedure.
- Avoid alcohol for two weeks because it may slow down healing.
- Avoid strenuous activities and exercise for one week after your dental implant.
- Do not touch your implant with your fingers or your tongue.
Swelling will subside significantly three days after your dental implant. If your procedure requires stitches, your dentist will remove them seven to ten days afterwards. Please contact your dentist if any discomfort persists.
Dental Implant Benefits
The benefits of dental implants include the following:
- Minimally invasive: Dental implants are a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Same-day implants usually take two to four hours to finish.
- Long-term durability: An experienced dentist performs dental implants that endure for decades. Your new artificial tooth root won’t injure or infect your gums or adjacent teeth.
- Enhanced oral health: People with missing teeth have shrivelled capillaries and weak jawbones and teeth. Dental implants strengthen the jaw, gums, and teeth, boost blood flow, and improve overall oral health.
Dental Implant Risks
While dental implants are generally safe, they are not for everybody. If you have any of the following preexisting health conditions, it can be challenging for your body to manage surgery or healing:
- Cancer.
- Pregnant women.
- Heavy smokers.
- Active mouth or sinus infections.
- Facial, gum, or oral nerve damage.
- Significant bone density loss.
If you have any health conditions, please consult a trusted dentist who can recommend the appropriate intervention.
Dental implant risks include the following:
- Sinus damage: Implants can penetrate your sinus cavity, causing discomfort. Your dentist may recommend a saline nasal rinse, decongestant, pain reliever, or antibiotic to rectify the situation.
- Infection: Pain, swelling, or fluid leaking from the dental implant site could be signs of a possible infection. A saltwater rinse, cold compress, antibiotic, or deep cleaning can resolve the issue.
- Nerve damage: A dental implant may cause nerve damage. Depending on the severity, your practitioner may prescribe anti-inflammatory or nerve pain medication, cold compress, implant adjustment, or nerve repair surgery.
Conclusion
Are dental implants dangerous? Although this procedure has a high success rate, it has potential risks and complications.
You can relax because the best dental professionals ensure that patients take the necessary precautions, including through medical history reviews and comprehensive dental exams.
As Annerley’s trusted dental service provider for over thirty years, we recommend hiring a highly skilled and experienced practitioner who can guarantee a smooth, comfortable procedure.
Please contact us today to discuss your dental implant needs and schedule an appointment. Our dental implants Annerley provide enduring, natural solutions for a confident smile and healthy gums and teeth, improving overall quality of life.