Despite advancements in dental care, millions of Americans still suffer from tooth loss. When left untreated, this problem can cause many other health issues, including bone loss and tooth decay.
Fortunately, dental implants are a great option if you are missing 1 or more teeth! They can help repair your smile and strengthen your dental health by replacing the root of your missing tooth with a robust and long-lasting titanium implant that is placed into your jawbone.
If you want to learn about this dental procedure, here we put together a list of the most common questions about dental implants that we get from our patients. If you are in Austin, TX, and have more specific queries or want to get dental implants, our team at Austin Dental is here to help!
1. What are dental implants?
Let’s start with the basics.
Essentially, dental implants are man-made tooth roots. They’re inserted into the jawbone, creating a foundation for new teeth. These prostheses are made from titanium, a strong metal that is nearly as hard as natural bone. This allows them to integrate into your mouth without being visible when you smile or talk.
2. Who can get implants?
Generally speaking, anyone who is missing 1 or more teeth and wants to replace them can get dental implants.
However, there are a few restrictions. For example, if you smoke or use other tobacco products frequently, it could compromise the success of your treatment since smoking reduces blood flow to the bone and soft tissue in the mouth where implants are placed. Also, if you have diabetes or other conditions that affect blood flow in the mouth area, then you may not be eligible for implant placement.
At Austin Dental, we’ll work with you to find out if dental implants are the right solution for you.
3. How long do implants last?
The duration of an implant depends highly on how well you take care of your mouth. The success rate of dental implants is approximately 95%.
One of the reasons why dental implants are so effective is that, unlike natural teeth, they aren’t susceptible to dental issues such as decay because they don’t have the same biological structure as natural teeth.
4. What are the advantages of dental implants?
Because there are a lot of benefits to getting dental implants, they are highly recommended and utilized as a restorative treatment for missing teeth. Some of their most relevant advantages are that they:
- Help you look and feel better
- Last for many years
- Allow you to eat, talk, and smile normally
- Don’t develop tooth decay
- Strengthen the jawbone
- Improve your tooth alignment and prevent crooked teeth
5. How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants usually varies from patient to patient. One of the factors that will influence the final price of your dental implant treatment is whether you’ll be getting a crown, a bridge, or an implant-supported denture attached to your implant.
If you want to know how much your dental implant would cost at Austin Dental, contact us. Our team will be happy to assist you!
6. What will I feel during the procedure?
At Austin Dental, our dentists use an anesthetic before the procedure, so we strive for you to feel no discomfort at all.
During the surgery, the doctor will insert the implant into the jaw bone through a small hole in your gum tissue. After the placement, we’ll temporize the area while it heals.
7. Can your mouth reject a dental implant?
Very rarely does a patient’s body reject an implant — the jawbone usually accepts the dental implant without complications. The best thing that you can do to avoid rejection is to take proper care of the implant after your procedure by following all the aftercare instructions your dentist will provide you.
If you need a dental implant, we are here for you!
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about this treatment, our highly skilled and understanding team at Austin Dental would love to help you find answers.
Our priority is to help you smile and live with confidence! Call us today: (512) 961-1539.