If you’ve been thinking about getting a dental implant to fill that missing spot in your smile but have hesitated because of preconceived notions you may have, Western Dental wants to set the record straight.
The six common myths about dental implants:
1. Only old people get dental implants.
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. Gum disease, which occurs in over half the population, can also cause tooth loss and require a replacement tooth in the form of a dental implant.
2. People will be able to tell if I have a dental implant.
Dental implants are made to fit firmly alongside 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 to fit the gap, in an exact color match to your surrounding teeth. Only your dentist will know for sure!
3. Getting dental implants is really painful.
On the contrary, 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 within an hour.
4. Dental implants need a lot of special care.
Of course, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, whether you have a dental implant or not. Dental implants require periodic checks, like cleaning and inspection of the implant holding the crown in place. Any maintenance can be done during regular check-ups.
5. Dental implants 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.
6. I can’t eat certain foods with dental implants.
Because dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, they perform just like real teeth. Dental implants are firmly “implanted” in your jaw, so they allow you to eat all the foods you enjoy, including steak, apples and corn on the cob.
“Dental implants can be the right answer for some people,” said Dr. John Luther, Chief Dental Officer at Western Dental. “We encourage people to get the facts first and consider dental implants as an option for your dental health.”