7 Dental Implant Questions and Answers 

Have you experienced tooth loss as an adult? Don’t fret; you aren’t alone. Tooth loss can happen for various reasons, including decay, gum disease, facial trauma, bone loss, cancer, and even normal wear and tear. When this happens, it’s best to replace the missing tooth (or teeth) with a tooth replacement option to restore your smile and help you regain self-confidence. And this is where dental implants can be genuinely life-changing. If you have experienced tooth loss and are ready for a change, read on for some essential dental implant questions and answers.

Dental implants are truly a game-changer when it comes to tooth replacement. Dentists  surgically implant these posts into the jaw, refreshing a patient’s facial appearance and restoring their abilities to chew and speak properly. Dental implants can also provide the support needed for artificial teeth such as dentures, crowns, and bridges. But when it comes to dental implants, patients tend to have many questions. Thankfully, we have the answers.

1. Are dental implants easy to get?

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), an estimated 30 million Americans are missing all their teeth in one or both arches. Dental implants have a success rate of 97 percent, but it is a fairly involved process. It takes place over several consecutive months, with each implant placement taking one to two hours. Overall, the process involves the following steps:

• Damaged tooth removal
• Bone grafting as needed
• Dental implant placement
• Bone growth and integration
• Abutment placement
• Artificial tooth placement

2. Will it hurt after I get dental implants?

Dental implants require surgery, and patients can be placed under general anesthesia or given a local anesthetic to keep them comfortable. After surgery, most patients report that their pain level is low. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually enough to keep patients comfortable while healing.

3. How long does it take to recover after dental implants?

For most patients, a full recovery takes three to six months, and that process should not be rushed. Your implants will permanently bond with the bone as it heals, and patients who are careful during the healing process, including closely following aftercare instructions provided by their dentist, are the ones who see the best success rates

4. Who is a candidate for dental implants?

Dentists typically look at five things when evaluating your implant candidacy. Those considerations are:

• You must have healthy gums.
• There must be sufficient bone density to hold the implant(s).
• You must have good oral care at home.
• You should not smoke or use other tobacco products.
• There must be minimal bruxism to protect the structural integrity of the implants.

5. Can you chew normally with a dental implant?

Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. However, you should be careful about what you eat, especially in the first two weeks after surgery. Stick to soft foods early on, slowly introducing harder and chewier foods when your dentist feels it’s safe. This healing time allows for a process called osseointegration to take place. 

Osseointegration is a biological process where your bone tissue grows around the post that was placed by your dentist. Once osseointegration is complete, your dental implant will be firmly anchored in your jaw bone. This provides stability and remarkably improves your ability to chew.

6. What are the do’s and don’ts after implant placement?

There are some important do’s and don’ts to follow after your dental implant surgery. Your dentist will provide you with a comprehensive list of instructions, but in general, you can anticipate the following:

Do

• Continue to brush (use a soft-bristled toothbrush) twice and floss at least once per day, especially after meals. 
• Use a water flosser to help reduce gingivitis and bleeding.
• Avoid sugary foods that cause plaque formation.
• Slice large food pieces into smaller bites before eating.
• Stick to soft foods such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, milkshakes, and yogurt.

Don’t 

• Use abrasive toothpaste, like those containing charcoal or baking soda.
• Drink through straws.
• Smoke or use tobacco.
• Use teeth to open packaging or bottles.
• Eat sticky or hard foods like gummies, popcorn kernels, and ice.

7. Can I have an MRI after a dental implant?

MRIs are common in diagnosing health problems in the organs, tissues, and skeletal system. As such, patients often ask us if their dental implants will interfere with MRIs or other medical treatments. And we’re happy to say that MRIs are completely safe for patients with dental implants.

Contact Dixon, Boles and Associates for more dental implant questions and answers.

Though the results are quite rewarding, you shouldn’t take the decision to get dental implants lightly. So if you have questions about dental implants and are near Wilson, North Carolina, we’re more than happy to help with the answers. Request an appointment with Dixon, Boles and Associates today.