Dental implants are a common treatment for people looking to replace missing or damaged teeth to restore their smile. This innovative technology provides an effective solution to tooth replacement and is both permanent and natural-looking.
Here at No Gaps Dental, patients often ask us the question “how safe are dental implants and are they right for me?”
The first part of the question is easy to answer. Yes, dental implants are safe but whether they are right for you depends on several factors, which we’ll discuss a little later.
Of course, surgery is required to install implants and, like all surgeries, there are risks involved. However, with modern techniques and our experienced No Gaps dentists, dental implant surgery is completely safe.
While there is a possibility of infection or rejection, the number of patients left with complications following dental implant surgery is very small. In fact, millions of people every year undergo implant-based restorations with no trouble at all.
But just to protect you further, our dental teams take hygiene and infection very seriously particularly in these challenging times. This is why hand sanitiser is located at convenient points throughout our clinics for everyone to use when entering and leaving the building.
Hand sanitiser is also readily available in our treatment rooms for use by patients and the dental team. We know that some of you may breathe a sigh of relief when treatment is over, but before dashing out of the door, please don’t forget to use hand sanitiser for added protection.
So, just how safe are dental implants?
Much of the success of a dental implant boils down to the level of preparation and planning that goes on behind the scenes before a patient even has dental implant surgery and this ties in with the second part of the question “are dental implants right for me?”
An initial consultation is necessary for anyone considering dental implants. Your medical history will be discussed as our dental implants dentist needs to be sure that you can physically undergo surgery safely.
People who are not suitable candidates include those that suffer from uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, have had radiation to the head and neck area, or that smoke. However, each patient will be assessed individually and where necessary we may communicate with a patient’s doctor first of all.
As well as discussing your medical history, we’ll need to take a few x-rays. These images enable our dentists to determine if the jawbone is sufficiently dense, strong, and healthy to support a dental implant. At this point, we should mention that a dental implant acts as a replacement tooth root to secure a false tooth or dental crown into the jawbone to prevent it from moving.
If you don’t have sufficient bone, then our dentist may suggest a bone graft to rebuild the bone to a position where it can support a dental implant. So while you may not immediately be a suitable candidate for dental implants, a bone graft will enable you to have implants at a later date.
Safer dental implant surgery
These detailed scans also allow our dentists to accurately diagnose each case and plan treatment more effectively. Not only do the scans reveal the condition of the jawbone but they also pinpoint the exact location of nerves, blood vessels, and sinuses. This means dental implants can be placed with precision to avoid damaging any nerves, culminating in safer dental implant surgery with less chance of any complications arising.
How safe are dental implants – the procedure
A dental implant is a small metal post that is surgically placed into the empty socket that was previously filled by your natural tooth and roots. We use implants that are predominantly made from titanium with a small percentage of safe metal alloys which make the structure stronger.
Titanium is suited to dental implants because it is biocompatible which means that it is rarely rejected by the human body. It’s a material that has been used successfully in hip replacements for decades. Also, titanium won’t rust or corrode in the moist environment of your mouth and bone loves it. So much so, that it fuses with the dental implant in a process known as osseointegration.
This process takes between 2 to 6 months, depending on the individual, and ensures that the implant has proper root support. Depending on where the implant is placed, your dentist may provide you with a temporary crown to protect the site.
Patients will be expected to attend regular check-ups so that our dentists can monitor the osseointegration process and check that things are going to plan. It’s vital to maintain good oral hygiene at all times, since infection and gum disease are the leading cause of dental implant failure.
Once your dental implants have healed and your crowns or other restoration have been fitted, you’ll be able to drink and eat as normal. It’s best to avoid smoking as tobacco has a negative impact on healing and increases the risk of infection and implant failure. With good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, a dental implant has the potential to last for several decades – possibly your lifetime.
A final word
If you’re considering restoring your smile and you’re wondering “how safe are dental implants and are they right for me” you’re certainly not alone. While dental implants are a complex technique, the procedure is a safe way to restore your smile with a knowledgeable dentist and the latest technologies.
Why not book an implant consultation with a No Gaps dental clinic of your choice to see if you’re a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Call us today on (02) 8806 0227
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.