If you have severely crooked or missing teeth, getting dental implants is a great choice. It can improve your overall oral health and also give you a better, confident smile.
Since getting implants is an invasive procedure, there are various factors and uncertainties to consider before you get the procedure done. While the procedure is quite common, some apprehension is expected from patients undergoing the treatment for the first time.
So we consulted Dr. Michael Nussbaum from Austin dental center in Austin, Tx to share his insight on the risks involved in getting dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Implants are used to replace damaged or missing teeth. They work as anchors to hold the crown and are replacements for your natural tooth root.
These implants are screw-like structures made from metal like titanium and are surgically placed into the jawbone. Once placed, the implants are given 2-3 months to fuse naturally with the jawbone, a process called osseointegration. Then, dental crowns or dentures that look just like your natural teeth are fixed on the top to give you aesthetic smile restoration.
What Are The Risks?
While the procedure is safe and has a high rate of success(close to 98%), at times, there may be some complications during and after the procedure that you need to be aware of.
1. Infection at the site of the implant.
Just like other surgical procedures, there may be an infection in the area where the implants are placed. These may happen due to improper oral hygiene practices, gum diseases, or bacteria being trapped under the gumline during the surgical procedure.
This can either be fixed through treatment or require removal of the implant resulting in dental implant failure.
2. Failure of osseointegration.
Osseointegration is a crucial part of dental implant procedures. If even after several months the implant doesn’t fuse with the jawbone, the process may fail. This usually happens due to a lack of bone density, wrong placement of implant by your dentist, or fracture of the implant.
You may have to restart the procedure if the process doesn’t take place.
3. Injury/Damage to the neighboring area
When performing surgery, there is always a risk that the surgeon may accidentally damage surrounding nerves or tissues. The chances of this occurring are rare with experienced dentists who perform this procedure routinely, it is a potential risk when you get implants from a less experienced dentist.
4. Post-surgery complications.
While the entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia, there may be swelling, redness, and some pain afterward in the site of the implant for a few days. You may also experience sinus issues if the dentist places the implant a bit too close to the nerves. These can make speaking or chewing food a bit inconvenient.
Your dentist will prescribe your pain-relief medication for the same.
People who are used to grinding their teeth or follow improper dental hygiene habits are at higher risk of dental implant failure. If you smoke or have diabetes, it may affect the healing process. But early detection and choosing an experienced dentist for the treatment will increase your chances of getting success dental implant
If you need dental implants in Austin, Tx, reach out to Dr. Michael Nussbaum at his clinic. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Nussbaum and his team provide great comfort and quality care to all their patients. If you are still apprehensive about getting dental implants, book a consultation with Dr. Nusbaum right away to find all the answers you need.
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