Although dental implants are on the cutting edge of modern dentistry, the basic concept has been around for years now and there are millions of satisfied patients out there. You could easily look up dental implants online and find reviews, but here, we just want to “sum up” what people are saying about them.
On the one hand, no one can sit in the dental chair for you – we all have to experience things for ourselves. On the other hand, we can learn much from those who’ve gone before us.
Here are the top 10 things that come up again and again in patient reviews and comments concerning modern dental implants.
1. “The process was surprisingly low-pain!”
Most people describe the process of putting dental implants in as relatively low-pain, no more painful than a tooth extraction. The use of a local anesthetic and/or dental sedation do wonders in this regard.
And your periodontist may also prescribe you some pain killers to use post-op, although over the counter drugs like a simple Tylenol or Ibuprofen are often sufficient.
2. “I’m so glad my dental insurance covered it!”
That’s right, most dental insurance policies WILL cover dental implants. They are considered a dental necessity and not a mere aesthetic procedure.
Exactly how much coverage will be available and what the cost is to begin with will vary from region to region and periodontist to periodontist. How many implants and which kind you choose will also impact the final price. But suffice it to say that good dental insurance can lower the cost significantly.
3. “I love the way my new teeth look!”
Modern dental implants are capped with dental crowns that closely mimic the look of “real teeth.” Most people you meet won’t even realize you have implants.
Your new smile will be ready for use immediately after the surgery if you get temporary crowns or if the permanent crowns are placed the same day. In some cases, you may have to wait a couple of weeks before the permanent crowns are attached to the implant rods.
4. “Dental implants are so easy to care for.”
Did you know that dental implants can be cared for in the same way as natural teeth? Unlike dentures or bridges, implants and implant-supported permanent dentures are easy to clean. Just brush and floss and use mouth rinse as in a normal dental hygiene routine.
This leads to better oral health over the long term. And that means fewer trips to the dentist and more money saved aside from the basic health benefit.
5. “It’s easier to eat and talk naturally again.”
So many who’ve tried removable dentures in the past or who have just gone “gappy” for years remark, upon getting dental implants, that it is no longer a struggle to eat and talk naturally.
Enunciation and proper chewing often suffer with regular dentures, but dental implants eliminate those kinds of problems and limitations.
6. “Dental Implants are amazingly comfortable!”
The discomfort of removable dentures, and even of dental bridges, is notorious. Dentures may slip on the gums, rub against them, and cause painful sores – even bleeding. Dental implants and permanent dentures supported by implants (all-on-4 implants) don’t do that. Period.
Many implant patients say they are very pleased that they can talk, eat, chew, sleep, exercise, and even engage in sports activities in complete comfort with their “new teeth.”
7. “They function just like my original teeth.”
Dental implants are firmly planted into the alveolar bone directly below the gums – exactly like natural teeth. And the titanium of the implant rod fuses to that bone mass in a process called “osseointegration.” (Osseointegration is completely safe and allows you to safely put normal pressure on implant teeth.)
As you can imagine, having teeth that not only look and feel like natural teeth but also function like them is a huge benefit. And it’s one of the most common points patients comment on after they’ve used their implants for a while.
8. “I don’t have to see the dentist as often!”
With removable dentures, you have to have more frequent checkups and may need to have new dentures made every few years. That takes time, costs money, and may be uncomfortable if you suffer from a case of “dentist-phobia!”
With implants, however, you may not need more than two or three checkups per year. Dental implants generally have few problems, and you don’t have to keep going back to the dentist to keep them working properly under normal circumstances.
9. “It’s good to hear my implants should last a lifetime.”
Durability is a big factor when it comes to tooth restoration. Typically, dental implants last for decades. In most cases, they last for the rest of the patient’s life.
Dental implants have a 98% success rate as to installation, few maintenance needs or issues, and endure longer than other tooth restoration options.
10. “I would recommend dental implants to anyone!”
Dental implants “make a believer” out of most patients. You will typically hear people say that they would recommend them to anyone who is suffering from tooth loss.
And there are very few people who can’t get implants. You do have to have healthy gums and alveolar bone mass – but soft tissue grafts and bone grafts can correct any problem that may exist there.
You might have to quit smoking, if you smoke, and you should be sure to practice good oral hygiene. A few medical conditions like certain forms of diabetes or heart disease could impact one’s fitness for dental implants – see your periodontist about that! But rest assured, the vast majority of people who want dental implants are good candidates for using them.
To learn more about dental implants, their many benefits, and whether or not they might be right for you, contact Ormond Beach Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in Central Florida for a free consultation!