Bedford dental implantsDental implants have revolutionized the way we replace missing teeth. Be it one tooth or all of them, losing your teeth today no longer means you have to deal with unnatural or clumsy prosthetic teeth. Most people have heard of dental implants, but unless you know someone who’s had the procedure, you may not know the truth about this versatile way to restore missing teeth. Do you want to learn more? Colleyville and Bedford dental implants specialist Dr. Chris Tye exposes six of the most common myths about implants.

Texas Oral Surgery Specialists provides All-on-4 implant dentures, partial dentures, implant bridges, and single tooth implants. As a dual-degreed surgeon and dentist, Colleyville oral surgeon Dr. Tye brings a high level of mastery to implant placement surgery. Call our office at 817-552-3223 to learn more about Colleyville and Bedford dental implants.

Myth 1: Dental Implants are Painful

We think this myth originates from the cringe-factor associated with imagining someone drilling into your jaw bone. Yes, implants do require a titanium post or screw to be inserted into the jaw bone, but this does not usually include any more pain and sensitivity than any other oral surgery. Patients are fully anesthetized during the procedure, so you won’t feel anything at the time. Post-operative pain is reportedly on par with other common oral surgeries, such as wisdom teeth removal.

Myth 2: Dental Implants are Too Expensive

Dental implants do require greater up-front costs than traditional prosthetics, such as bridges and dentures. However, if you consider the costs over time, dental implants are usually more cost effective. This is because bridges and dentures have a limited lifespan and need to be replaced every few years. Bridges’ average lifespan is about five to ten years, which means you will need to have the procedure re-done periodically. Implants, on the other hand, almost never need to be replaced. As long as you take good care of your implants (and have them placed by a qualified surgeon), they should last a lifetime. Additionally, because implants are better for your long-term oral health, they can help you stay in a better state of health and avoid needing other costly procedures.

Myth 3: Dental Implants Require a Difficult Healing Period

Comparatively longer? Yes. More difficult? No. After implant surgery, it takes approximately three to six months for the implant(s) to fuse with the jawbone. However, this does not mean any additional pain or complex post-surgical care. As soon as the gum tissue is healed (approximately two weeks or less), you won’t notice any difference as your body begins the process of osseointegration.

Why does it take so long? In order for implants to become as stable as natural tooth roots, new bone growth must take place around the ridges of each implant. This period may be longer for some patients, shorter for some. As long as you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest, your body will have the tools it needs to make your implants a permanent part of your jaw.

Myth 4: Dental Implants Require Complicated Maintenance

Whether you are getting a single implant and crown or a full set of dentures, you will find that caring for your implants is no different than caring for your natural teeth or removable dentures. Like traditional dentures, implant dentures require daily cleaning and soaking, and the implants themselves require only brushing and flossing.

 

Myth 5: Dental Implants Don’t Look Natural

Today’s dentures—both implant-based and otherwise—are made of a combination of soft and hard plastics that simulate the texture and appearance of natural teeth and gums. You’ve probably seen tooth implants and implant dentures on friends or acquaintances before and couldn’t tell the difference.

Additionally, implant-based dentures are less noticeable than traditional dentures, because they are more stable. They don’t slip out of place and you can eat all the same foods you ate with your healthy natural teeth. They snap out of place easily for cleaning, but otherwise stay firmly attached to the implants. If you already wear traditional dentures, implant dentures allow you to eat anything you want without having to worry that your dentures will embarrass you at the table.

Myth 6: Implant-Based Dentures are Not Much Different from Traditional Dentures

If you think implant-based prosthetic teeth are no different than traditional bridges and dentures, we challenge you to ask a Bedford dental implants patient about the difference! Most patients say that implant-dentures and crowns are so lifelike that they sometimes forget they aren’t their natural teeth. Since they are connected to the jaw as securely as natural tooth roots, they function the same and give you the freedom to speak, smile, and eat naturally.

Beyond their appearance and function, implant-based All-on-4 dentures have the added benefit of preventing friction and pressure on the gums. With traditional dentures, the plates rub and press against the gums, sometimes with painful results. Some patients even develop lesions or sores as a result. For this reason, most implant patients agree that conventional dentures are nowhere near as comfortable as their implant counterparts.

Colleyville oral surgeon Dr. Chris Tye can help you learn more about dental implants for tooth loss, and determine whether you are a good candidate for implant surgery. Call Texas Oral Surgery Specialists at 817-552-3223 to learn more about Colleyville and Bedford dental implants.