More and more people are choosing dental implants as a way to replace their missing teeth, with good reason, since dental implants provide so many benefits over more traditional solutions. Still, many patients have questions regarding dental implants. Downey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is here to answer your questions so that you can make the best decision for you.

How Do I Know if Implants are Right for Me?

If you have lost one or more teeth, or you will soon be having one or more teeth extracted, there is a good chance that you are a candidate for dental implants. There are certain issues that can prevent you from getting them immediately. For instance, certain uncontrolled medical issues or missing a significant amount of bone mass can cause problems. However, getting medical conditions under control or having a bone graft can help to improve your candidacy.

Is Getting Dental Implants Painful?

The process of getting dental implants is not painful. We provide you with a local anesthetic and can also provide sedation. You will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Once the anesthetic wears off, it is not uncommon for patients to feel some pain. This pain should begin to subside and eventually disappear after your surgery. If you experience an excessive amount of pain, or the pain only worsens after surgery, you should schedule an appointment right away.

Do I Get My Teeth Right Away After Surgery?

It is possible to get your teeth immediately after implant surgery. These types of implants are immediate load implants. You get teeth that look and function exactly like real teeth secured onto your implants immediately after your surgery is complete.

If you are not getting teeth immediately loaded, you may be provided with temporary teeth. These teeth help to give you some normal functionality during the recovery process. Your final dental restorations are made and screwed into place once you have fully healed.

What is the Lifespan of Dental Implants?

Dental implants are meant to last a long time. For those who have had a full arch replaced, studies have shown that they can have an 80% to 90% success rate. For those with a single tooth or several teeth, the success rate can be as high as 95%. For many patients, successful implants can last a lifetime.

What Issues Might Be Experienced With Dental Implants?

Despite the success rate of dental implants, there are certain issues that can arise. These issues can affect the success of your treatment. Many of these issues can occur during the recovery period after surgery. These issues include infections such as peri-implantitis. If you smoke during recovery, you may experience dry socket.

Even after your implants have been successfully integrated into your jawbone, issues can still occur. These issues can occur years later. One such issue is gum disease. If you develop advanced gum disease, the bacteria begin attacking your jawbone. This weakens the bone, which can loosen your implants. Other issues that can affect your implants later after healing include smoking and facial trauma.

If you have any additional questions regarding dental implants, the placement process, or if you may be a candidate, we are here to help. Call Downey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at 562-459-3311 for more information today.