Implant-based restorations are the gold standard of missing tooth replacement and have been for many years but while they have their advantages, anyone considering this form of tooth replacement would understandably want to know are dental implants safe?
Despite the fact that dental implants might seem like a relatively modern invention, dentists have been placing implants into the mouths of patients since 1965. Over the years they have been tested, tweaked and refined and now, implant-based restorations are considered one of the most reliable of procedures culminating in a 95% success rate.
Inevitably, your dentist will want the very best for your smile, so in most cases, they would be happy and confident enough to recommend a dental implant over traditional dental bridges or dentures, but can anyone be fitted with dental implants?
On the whole yes, but there are a few caveats…
Patients need to be in good oral health
It may seem like a bit of a misnomer to suggest that patients need to be in good oral health before they 
undergo any form of dental implant surgery, but what we mean by this is that they need to be free from gum disease and have sufficient jaw-bone density.
Unfortunately, dental implants can and do fail when anchored into a jaw that doesn’t have sufficient bone but in addition, if periodontal disease is present, it can also wreak havoc with a newly placed implant.
That said, having these pre-existing conditions doesn’t necessarily rule out the possibility of getting dental implants. Instead, these issues will need to be addressed first before an implant is placed.
Your dentist should be able to assist with periodontal treatment to clear up any signs of lingering gum disease and in addition, a bone graft can be used to replace inadequate bone.
All that said, there are a few rare instances where a dentist is asked the question ‘are dental implants safe?’ and the answer might be an unfortunate no!
These include…
Metal allergies
While a titanium dental implant is biocompatible for the vast majority of people, there may be rare occasions where a patient has a sensitivity to other alloys such as aluminium, vanadium and zinc. Typically, these alloys are added to a titanium implant in small quantities to make the implant more durable and in these cases, undergoing dental implant surgery won’t be a workable option.
Smokers
Another factor when considering the safety of dental implants is when a patient is a heavy smoker. Unfortunately, it’s been proven that bacteria carried in tobacco smoke can cause problems for newly placed implants but moreover, smoking is also thought to slow down or prevent osseointegration.
Osseointegration or bone fusion is a vital part of the implant process. Sometime after dental implant surgery, the surrounding bone tissue fuses with the surface of the implant to create a solid foundation, thus locking it into the mouth. Typically, this takes somewhere between 2-5 months to occur.
In smokers, however, particularly those that choose not to quit before the implant process begins, there may be a significant increase in the time taken for the bone to fuse. In some cases, this process doesn’t occur at all.
For this reason, dental implants might not be the best solution for those who want to continue to smoke after dental implant surgery.
What about during surgery – Are dental implants safe then?
Naturally, when you undergo any form of dental implant restoration it involves oral surgery. When performed by an experienced dentist, patients should be in safe hands. They will put detailed treatment plans in place prior to dental implant surgery to ensure a trouble-free placement. Moreover, all patients are monitored closely during the procedure to ensure that they remain relaxed and comfortable.
In addition, a good dentist will also maintain high standards of infection control for the utmost safety including instrument sterilisation and frequent use of hand sanitiser. Hygienic treatment rooms are paramount to avoid the spread of bacteria and highly infectious airborne particles, so bacteria-free surfaces, frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser both before and after treating every patient, is something we take very seriously at our No Gaps Dental clinics.
Safety first!
As you can see, dental implants are safe and have a good reputation for success – so long as you follow the points listed above.
That’s why millions of people trust an experienced dental implant dentist with a good reputation.
Visit any of our No Gaps Dental clinics and you’ll see that we’re a team that always puts patients health and safety first. We’ll consider all of your unique needs and circumstances before we make any treatment recommendations and during dental implant surgery, we’ll take all necessary precautions to ensure that you remain safe. This includes the use of hand sanitiser to prevent the spread of bacteria as well as practising optimum infection control.
Moreover, during surgery, we’ll respond quickly to any physical cues making sure that you remain comfortable throughout your dental implant process.
Do you have missing teeth?
If so, we can say with complete confidence that dental implants and in particular, dental implant surgery, is a safe, long-lasting and effective procedure that can restore both the form and function of your smile.
Contact any of our convenient locations for a no-obligation consultation to see whether dental implants are safe and right for you. Implants really are a tooth replacement option you should strongly consider.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.