Generally, dental implants are safe for most patients when recommended by a qualified dental professional. The titanium material used to make the metal posts is biocompatible and does not cause any adverse reactions in the body. However, the success of implants hinges on your overall health, dental hygiene, and the mass of your jawbone. The most suitable candidates for the treatment are nonsmokers with good overall health. Nevertheless, like other surgeries, implants pose risks and complications. Therefore, you must consult with your dentist to evaluate your teeth and determine your candidacy for the procedure.
Overview of Dental Implants
Tooth implants are titanium or ceramic posts surgically implanted into the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots and prevent jawbone loss. So, implants are recommended as anchors for replacements when you have missing teeth because of their natural appearance and durability. They give you the strength and stability to eat the food you prefer. When this artificial tooth is implanted on the jawbone, the bone begins to fuse and grow around it in an osseointegration process, enabling this false tooth root to provide stability similar to the natural root.
Implants function the same way as the original tooth root. The metal screw or post goes deep into the gums and jawbone, providing anchorage to the visible section of the teeth. They offer a foundation for the replacement teeth. Usually, a dentist attaches a connector or abutment to the implant to support the false tooth and create a complete structure resembling natural teeth.
The advantage of tooth replacements anchored by dental implants is that they feel and function like natural teeth. You can chew freely without fear of losing your teeth. Additionally, they do not interfere with your speech like other tooth replacements. They closely resemble natural teeth in appearance and function, offering a long-term solution. If you observe post-procedure instructions from your dentist, you will not need to replace them. Again, implants have been tested and proven, with a success rate of 95%. If you choose the treatment, there is minimal treatment failure or complications risk.
Reasons Dental Implants are Deemed Safe
If you are in good health, your dentist will recommend dental implants as they are safe for you. Implants have been around since 1965, meaning they have been tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The treatment has a success rate of 95%. The only reason patients considering the treatment have concerns about the procedure is that they know little or nothing about it. Therefore, speak to a qualified dental expert to address any questions or concerns about the procedure. Implants are safe, and here are some of the reasons why:
The Titanium Screws or Posts Used are Biocompatible
One primary reason why implants are successful is that most are made using titanium, which is biocompatible. Biocompatibility means that the material is readily welcomed and tolerated by the body, making it easy to fuse with the body through osseointegration. Other implants are made using ceramic, which is also biocompatible.
Using non-biocompatible materials would increase the risk of the treatment failing because the material is unwelcome in the body. When the body rejects the metal, it causes corrosion, swelling, or degradation, and the procedure fails.
Titanium posts make implants safe because they are durable, do not irritate the jaw or gums, and are accepted by the body as a natural substance.
The choice of metal implants further promotes their safety because they require little or no maintenance after surgical placement. The implants will remain safe and dependable if you observe proper oral health.
Besides, the material used to make permanent crowns in the implant structure's visible section is durable and non-toxic. Therefore, you will not experience gum irritation or swelling after attachment of the crowns to the abutment. However, you must maintain proper dental hygiene to keep the crowns pearly white and durable.
A Well-Established Implantation Process
The surgical placement of dental implants has been refined over the decades since the procedure was introduced. Technological advancements in dental tools and methods have further increased the safety of the treatment. Dental experts strive for safety, convenience, and comfort during these procedures.
Before implantation, the dental expert starts with a thorough dental examination. A dental expert in this case refers to an oral surgeon, periodontist, general dentist, or prosthodontist, when needed. In the first appointment with the dentist, they examine your teeth and gums to determine if they are healthy enough for a surgery. Additionally, the dentist measures the density of the jawbone to ensure it is sufficient to provide proper anchorage to the titanium post. The examination involves using X-rays and CT scans to give the dentist a three-dimensional image of the teeth, gums, and jawbone.
Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. You are not ideal for the treatment if:
- You smoke
- You suffer from gum or periodontal disease
- You have diabetes or an autoimmune disorder
- You suffer from osteoporosis
- You are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- You have weak immunity
- You have particular allergies
After the evaluation, the dentist will recommend implants depending on the condition of your mouth tissues, oral habits, dental hygiene, and commitment to adhere to post-procedure instructions. If your jawbone does not have sufficient density or quantity to anchor the metal screws, you will undergo a bone graft procedure to increase the bone mass before implantation. When struggling with smoking, the dentist will recommend quitting before the surgery to prevent implant failure.
The duration of treatment varies depending on the unique situation of a patient. Your dentist will advise on how long they expect the treatment to last, the number of appointments, and expectations depending on your situation. The dentist will also explain options for local anesthesia and sedation, helping you choose the most suitable approach. Local anesthesia only numbs the section of the jaw where the jawbone is implanted, making its administration safer. Sedation dentistry is more extensive as it keeps the patient relaxed and semi-conscious throughout the procedure. It is high risk and requires monitoring by an anesthetist throughout the procedure.
Your dentist lowers the risk of treatment by managing any conditions that could interfere with the treatment, like tooth decay and periodontitis.
The implantation process is minimally invasive. Depending on your situation, a single implant takes less than an hour to be surgically placed on the bone. Only the gum tissue and bone surrounding the surgical area are affected, and the procedure is outpatient. However, after implantation, you must wait six to eight weeks for osseointegration to happen before attachment of the final restoration.
High Durability
Implants are the most reliable and permanent solution for replacing missing or damaged teeth. Compared to alternatives like bridges and dentures, implants are more durable. They provide more stability because the metal screw fuses with the bone. They can function and last for 20 to 30 years like natural teeth with proper care.
Strict Regulations
Dental implants are safe because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves all implant systems. The agency adheres to international standards when examining and approving dental implant materials. Therefore, whenever you walk into a dental office accredited to offer dental implant services, you should know that the materials, procedures, and equipment utilized are safe, lowering the risk of complications and treatment failure. Therefore, if your concern about implants is the safety of the procedure and metals used, you should know they are FDA approved and, thus, safe.
Risk Factors Associated with Implants
Even though dental implants are safe, they are not suitable for everyone. Pre-existing medical illnesses like diabetes or low immunity make it difficult for the body to undergo any kind of surgery or recovery. Other illnesses place the body at risk of distress, hence the need to address the condition before dental implant treatment. Risk factors that could rule you out of a dental implant procedure are:
- Pregnancy
- Severe bone density loss
- Damage to the gum tissue, facial, or mouth nerves
- An active infection around the oral cavity or sinuses
- Heavy smoking
- Cancer
These temporary risk factors do not permanently bar you from receiving dental implants. Some of these risks can be addressed, and the procedure can be successful. Nevertheless, you should consult your dentist to identify and develop a plan to address them.
Dental Implant Complications
As much as dental implants are safe, the treatment involves surgery, meaning you could develop complications. These complications are:
- Slow healing or recovery
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Complications during surgery, like damage to surrounding teeth, soft tissue injuries, injuries to the sinus cavity or bone, or nerve damage
- Treatment failure that prevents implants from creating the stability required
- Post-operative infection
Safety of Dental Implants for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens aged 60 or older may want to understand the risks of dental implants before undergoing the procedure. If you are an older patient, you should know that at your age, there is a slower recovery time from surgical treatments, the surgery could affect pre existing conditions, and the health and density of the bone could be severely affected. You cannot rule out the treatment completely without consulting your dentist. So, contact your dental expert and raise any concerns about the procedure.
Dental Implant Complications Statistics
Per the Journal of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, the overall failure rate of oral implants is 3.11%. The risk of treatment failure varies from one patient to another, with smokers at a higher risk of 11% implant failure. This shows the risk of the procedure is minimal, and the common complications are inflammation and infection of the surgical site.
Detailed Dental Implantation Procedure
After the initial consultation, the dentist decides if you are a candidate. If the procedure is safe, the following steps depend on your unique situation. If some of the remaining teeth are damaged beyond repair, you must undergo a tooth extraction before the implantation.
When the jawbone density is insufficient for the implant, you will undergo a bone graft procedure. It entails a piece or pieces of bone from other body parts being grafted to the jawbone. It takes four to twelve months to recover from the procedure, after which you will be ready for implantation.
During the surgical placement of implants, the oral surgeon makes an incision on the gum tissue to access the jawbone. After, they drill the bone to place the titanium screws. Once the implant is in place, the surgeon sutures the gum tissue of the implant and allows for osseointegration, which takes up to eight months based on the patient's unique circumstances.
After the bone fuses with the artificial root, the dentist places a healing cap to prepare for the placement of the crowns. When the gums surrounding the healing cap heal, you will visit the dentist to place the connector on the implant. The connector is screwed onto the implant and connects it to the dental crown.
It is Safer to Receive Dental Implants Than Not
It is safer to receive implants than not. Staying with missing teeth exposes you, the patient, to severe oral problems.
One major problem of missing teeth is the deterioration of the jawbone. Regardless of the reason for the tooth loss, the bone begins to deteriorate around the open socket because of the cut nutrient supply. As the bone weakens, the nearby teeth loosen, increasing the risk of further tooth loss. So, when you receive implants, they stimulate the bone and minimize the risk of bone deterioration.
Similarly, implants create a pressure balance in the mouth. When you have missing teeth, the teeth adjacent to the open socket are exposed to uneven pressure during chewing, increasing the risk of teeth shifting and breakage.
Find a Reputable Advanced Dentistry Service Near Me
Dental implants are generally safe for healthy patients. Therefore, if you are considering the procedure, you should consult a dentist to understand all the details, including its safety, risk factors, and complications. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we will evaluate your oral condition and overall health to determine your candidacy. We will also discuss the cost of the treatment, recovery duration, and alternatives to enable you to make an informed decision. Call us at 818-701-3010 today to discuss your case and determine your candidacy.
