5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Nervous About Implant Surgery
Implant surgery is often the most effective way to replace missing teeth. Strong enough to eat normally with, and longer-lasting than alternatives, many patients benefit from having this relatively simple procedure. Without implants, you increase your risk of the remaining teeth shifting, opening up gaps elsewhere in the mouth, poor chewing and further tooth decay.
Of course, even the word “surgery” is enough to cause many of us to feel a little nervous. With dental anxiety being a very real problem for most Australians, it is easy to see why you might hesitate to go ahead. Here at Whitehorse Dental, we want to assure you that having implant surgery is not as scary as it sounds.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a device put into your jaw surgically and permanently. This device looks similar to a screw and is firmly fixed into the bone which then grows around it to provide stability. Implants are made from titanium which is bioinert and allows bone to grow right up against it. Artificial joint and hip replacements are also made from titanium.
A crown will later be connected to this implant, providing a long-term solution to missing teeth. This crown is custom-made to fit with your surrounding teeth and bring back your winning smile!
While a dental implant may be used to replace a single lost tooth, you can also have implants to install a stable “dental bridge”.
Dental Implants offer a range of benefits including
- Greater stability when eating.
- Better looking smiles.
- Decreased chance of further decay in surrounding teeth.
The Dental Implant Procedure is Well Planned
Dentists don’t perform dental implant treatment until after they have properly examined the entire mouth (including jaw), talked with you about all options, and planned after-surgery care.
A dental implant procedure requires multiple visits in preparation and post-surgery care. To have a dental implant, you must have good overall health, including healthy gums. The dentist will do scans and x-rays to confirm that your jawbone is strong and healthy for the installation of the implant, and will take a full medical history to ensure you have no other illness that may cause complications.
Sedation & Local Anaesthesia Options Are Available
Dental Implant Surgery happens under anaesthesia and, if required, sedation. For most patients, local anaesthetic is sufficient to ensure you do not feel anything during the surgery and allows you to recover faster after the procedure. However, there are a range of options if you are very concerned, and general anaesthetic may be available.
While we will discuss your specific needs during preparation, we can ensure that you will feel no pain during your procedure.
There Is Minor Discomfort Post-Surgery
While recovering from implant surgery will usually take only one or two weeks until you feel like your mouth is back to normal. During this time it is important to follow the after-procedure plan discussed with your dentist.
Immediately after a dental implant procedure, you may experience some minor pain that can be treated with ordinary painkillers. Your dentist will recommend the best types and doses to use, but these will often be over-the-counter and only needed for the first few days of recovery.
After this time, it may take months for your implant to be ready for a crown to be installed. During this time, however, you can clean the implant similarly to any tooth. In fact, it is important to do so to ensure full recovery and to avoid further damage to your other teeth and gums.
Dental Implants Have A High Success Rate
Dental Implants have a success rate of up to 98% and can last your entire life if they are cared for properly. Those few failures that have occurred generally have happened when a patient has failed to maintain routine dental care, including regular check-ups.
The Dental Implant Looks and Acts Like a Normal Tooth!
One of the most important benefits of having a dental implant is that it offers the same functionality and aesthetics as the tooth it replaces. The crown which affixes to the implant is custom-made for your mouth, to ensure it fits between your other teeth and is nearly impossible to tell that it is artificial. Because they are fixed to your jaw, dental implants are far sturdier than their alternatives, and you will be able to find chewing foods easier than with dentures or bridges.
While a dental implant treatment requires multiple visits, including a surgical procedure, there is little to fear in needing one. With a very high success rate and custom-made crowns, having an implant is the closest thing to having your natural teeth back. Talk to us today at Whitehorse Dental and find out if you could be eligible for dental implant treatment.
