A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement that looks and feels like a real tooth. Dental implants are made from titanium and serves as the foundation for a new tooth. More than that, they can also lock in a set of dentures or partial dentures, providing a more comfortable and secure bite.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a dental implant or are unsure, read on.
6 Common Myths About Dental Implants
- Only old people get them.
While dental implants are an ideal solution as we lose teeth over time, older adults aren’t the only candidates. People of any age can have a tooth mishap, whether from playing sports, falling off a bicycle, or tooth loss from poor dental health maintenance.
- People will be able to tell.
Dental implants are made to fit firmly with your other teeth and blend in perfectly in size and color. After an impression is taken of your teeth, a lab will create a perfectly fitting replacement crown in the exact color of your surrounding teeth. Only you and your dentist will know!
- Getting dental implants is really painful.
Actually, a dental implant is no more painful than having a cavity filled. In fact, the placement of an implant is conducted under local anesthetic and is generally completed under an hour.
- They need special care.
Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth and need no additional maintenance. You’ll want to care for your new tooth the same way you care for your natural teeth.
- They are too expensive.
Just like big screen TVs, the cost of a dental implant has decreased in recent years. Some dental offices, like Western Dental, even offer affordable payment plans, allowing you to budget over time.
- I can’t eat certain foods.
Because dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, they perform just like real teeth. Dental implants are firmly “implanted” in your jaw, so you can enjoy a variety of food like steak, apples, corn on the cob and more.
Implants are the best alternative to tooth restoration, allowing you to chew, bite, gnaw, sing, laugh, just like you would with a healthy, natural tooth. If you decide that an implant is the right course of action for your tooth replacement, it is important to work with a qualified implant specialist who is not only trained to place the implant but works with a specialized lab to create a crown that will look natural with your other teeth.