3 Surprising Facts About Dental Implants

If you’ve been looking into tooth replacement options for yourself, you’ve probably learned some of the basic facts about dental implants. For example, you may know that dental implants consist of a titanium post that is anchored to your jaw bone, a tooth-shaped crown, and an abutment that holds the crown to the titanium post. You may also know that dental implants look and function just like natural teeth and that no one but your dentist will know you have them. But there are probably still things that you don’t know about dental implants. Below are some facts that may surprise you.

Dental Implants Can’t Get Cavities—But You Still Need to Brush

The material that’s used to make dental implants can’t decay like your natural teeth can, which means no more cavities or fillings.

However, it’s important to note that just because your dental implants can’t get cavities, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to continue brushing and flossing your teeth. For one thing, if you only got one or a few dental implants, then you’ll need to continue to brush the natural teeth that you still have in your mouth. And even if you have all of your teeth replaced, you’ll still be susceptible to gum and tissue infections if you don’t keep your mouth clean. Food particles and bacteria will still collect on your implants, and while they may not cause decay, allowing them to build up can still result in inflammation and infection to the living tissue in your mouth.

Dental Implants Outlast Other Tooth Replacement Options

Ideally, you would keep your natural teeth for the rest of your life, but when that can’t happen, you want a durable tooth replacement option. However, most tooth replacement options are not permanent. A bridge, for example, is only as healthy as the teeth around it—it will need to be replaced if one of the teeth on either side of the bridge is damaged. And a bridge tends to put pressure on the teeth around it, so damage is almost inevitable. Dentures also aren’t permanent—over time, they’ll become worn or need to be adjusted or replaced as your mouth changes shape.

Dental implants, however, are a permanent tooth replacement option. They’re anchored into place, and will only need to be removed if they become damaged or in rare cases of dental implant failure. As long as you take care of your dental implants, the way that you would take care of your natural teeth, you’ll have them for the rest of your life.

Dental Implants are More Popular Than You Think

A growing number of patients are choosing dental implants to restore their smiles.

 There’s a misperception that dental implants are an uncommon choice among dental patients, but the truth is that more and more patients are choosing dental implants every day. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, three million patients have dental implants, and the number of patients choosing implants continues to grow by as much as 500,000 a year.

Dental implants have become more affordable and accessible as the technology involved in placing them has advanced. If you’re considering dental implants for yourself, you are among a growing number of patients who are making the same choice.

Are dental implants a good choice for you? The best way to find out is to meet with a dental implant dentist. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.