You’ve been researching dental implants in Falmouth as a possible solution for the gap in your smile. Many of the benefits – such as preventing bone loss and lasting for decades – make them sound downright miraculous, but when you found out that you’ll need surgery to place the implants in your jaw, you became nervous. What if something goes wrong? But there’s no need to worry; the odds will generally be very much in your favor when it comes to placing dental implants. Read on to learn more about the impressive success rate of this procedure and how your dentist in Falmouth can address potential complications early on.
What is the Success Rate of Dental Implants?
There have been several reports examining the long-term survival rate of dental implants. Overall, the success rate for the procedure is about 95% to 98%. Furthermore, while other restorations such as bridges and dentures need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years on average, implants have been known to last for decades and even lifetimes. In other words, when you get an implant, you can expect the repairs to your smile to last for a good long while in the vast majority of cases. Of course, this extremely high success rate depends largely on how well your dentist deals with the potential risk factors that can lead to implant failure.
What Does Your Dentist Look for Before Placing Dental Implants?
Before moving forward with the procedure, your dentist will need to consider the following:
- Your Bone Density: Implants fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration; if your jaw doesn’t have enough bone density, it will likely need to be built up with bone grafting before implant placement.
- Gum Disease: An infection in your gums can cause bone loss around your implants, leading to failure. Any existing infections will need to be removed, and you’ll need to maintain good oral hygiene once the implants are in your mouth.
- Smoking: If you smoke, the area around your implants might not heal correctly, and that can ultimately cause them to fail. Ideally, you should give up smoking before and after implant placement; your dentist can advise you on the exact timeframe.
Bear in mind that even if your dentist doesn’t find any issues before dental implant placement, you’ll still need to protect your new teeth afterwards. That means avoiding hard or crunchy foods until your mouth heals and making sure your mouth stays as clean as possible.
Many dentists treat dental implants as the current standard for tooth replacement, and the high success rate, combined with the various benefits of replacing the roots of the tooth along with the crown, is a major reason why. If there’s empty space in your smile, don’t be afraid to look at implants as a solution!
About the Author
Dr. Rob McVety has worked in the dental field for several years and enjoys working in a field that’s constantly evolving. He received advanced training in implant placement and restoration during a General Practice Residency at the Veterans Hospital in Denver. To schedule an appointment at his practice, Casco Bay Smiles, visit his website or call (207) 517-7008.