Dental Implants: Common Questions Answered

If you've been thinking that dental implants might be the solution as a replacement for your natural teeth, you're probably burdened with many questions about the procedure. Even if you aren't currently considering dentures or artificial teeth, it never hurts to look into the future and decide what you may do should the time arise. If you have questions about the procedure or the application, here are the answers to some of the common ones.

How long have they been around?

Dental implants have been used as an alternative to dentures since the 1980s. Of course, that's not to say that this was the first occurrence of implantology being used in the field of oral medicine. Archaeologists have discovered the use of similar devices going back to the days of the ancient Egyptians. Mummies have been discovered with golden wire threaded directly into the bones of the jaw. Similar findings have been found in other cultures and countries throughout the ages.

Will my dental implants be successful?

There's no definite reason why they wouldn't be. A good doctor of oral medicine will evaluate your candidacy for the procedure and it will be determined at that time whether you are fit to proceed. If you are deemed a good candidate, the chances of short term success are excellent. Long term results depend on a number of factors, not least of which will be the skill of the dentist. This is why it's important to find someone who is experienced and respected in their field to perform the surgery.

Why wouldn't I be a candidate?

Dental implants aren't for everyone. The number one disqualifying factor will likely be peripheral medical problems such as diabetes, cancer, and some types of blood disorders. If you don't have the right type of bone density in your jaw, it might also pose a problem for the dentist to promise any success.

What is care like?

One of the biggest indications of success in a patient is how willing they are to care for their artificial teeth. You can do this by following your dentist's instructions explicitly and coming in for your regular appointments so that adjustments and cleanings can be done as needed. You should expect to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, just as you would with your natural teeth.

If you're interested in getting dental implants, find a good dentist near you and set up an appointment to discuss your candidacy, the cost of the procedure, and what your options are to replace your missing teeth.