Benefits and Risks of Dental Implants in Vero Beach, FL

Prevents Bone Loss

One of the most significant benefits of a dental implant is that it prevents bone loss. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in that area deteriorates, leading to other problems. During dental implant surgery, the implant is surgically placed in the jawbone and fuses with the bone over time, providing a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth. Successful dental implant placement preserves the integrity of the jawbone and prevents further bone loss.

Improved Appearance

Dental implants mimic the appearance of natural teeth. They provide a more aesthetically pleasing result because they’re custom-made to match the color, size, and shape of your surrounding teeth.

Looks, Feels, and Acts Like Natural Teeth

Known as the best dental restorative option, dental implants look, feel, and act like natural teeth. They mimic the natural tooth from root and crown and are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of the nearby teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural, neighboring teeth. This means that people won’t be able to tell that you have dental implants, and you can feel confident when you smile.

Restores Bite Force

Dental implants also restore bite force, allowing you to eat the foods you love without discomfort or difficulty. Dentures and dental bridges can affect your ability to bite and chew certain foods, but dental implants are anchored securely in the jawbone and provide a stable base for the artificial tooth, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of foods without restrictions.

Easy to Care for

Dental implants are also easy to maintain. They don’t require special care and can be brushed and flossed like natural teeth. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene to keep the implant and the surrounding teeth healthy, but there’s no need for any additional care or maintenance. With implant success rates sitting around 95%, you’ll have a long-lasting tooth replacement as long as you care for them properly.

Our Vero Beach dentist created a helpful guide on how to maintain your dental implants and achieve good oral health so you can enjoy their benefits for years to come.

Can Last a Lifetime

Dental implants are also a long-term dental restoration option. They’re designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. While the implant is made of biocompatible materials designed to fuse with the jawbone, the replacement tooth that’s attached to the jawbone below the implant may need to be replaced or restored over time, but the implant post itself can last a lifetime.

No Impact on Neighboring Teeth

Traditional bridges require grinding down adjacent teeth for support. Dental implants, however, stand-alone, preserving the structure of surrounding teeth.

Improves Oral Health

Dental implants can improve oral health. When a tooth is missing, it can lead to other problems with adjacent teeth, including shifting, bite problems, and jawbone deterioration. Dental implants prevent these problems by filling the gap left by the missing tooth and preserving the integrity of adjacent teeth and the jawbone.

Durable

Dental implants are also highly durable. They’re made of biocompatible materials designed to fuse with the jawbone, providing a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth. They’re also resistant to tooth decay and periodontal disease, making them an excellent option for people looking for a long-term solution for healthy teeth.

Better Oral Functionality

Unlike removable dentures, which can slip or cause difficulty in chewing, dental implants allow you to eat your favorite foods without worry. They restore nearly 100% of your natural biting and chewing power.

Surgical Risks

As with any surgery, there’s always the risk of infection, excessive bleeding, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Choosing an experienced implant dentist, like those at Vero Dental Spa, reduces these risks significantly.

Nerve Damage

Improper placement of dental implants during the dental implant procedure can lead to nerve damage, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in the gums, lips, or chin. This risk is significantly minimized with careful treatment planning and precise placement.

Long Healing Time

The healing process, or osseointegration, can take several months. During this time, you may need to follow specific care instructions to ensure the implant integrates correctly with the jawbone.

Certain Risk Groups are Unqualified

Certain groups of people should be evaluated for their suitability for dental implants on a case-by-case basis. These include heavy smokers, people who had radiation to the neck or head, and people suffering from uncontrollable chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.

You Must Commit to a Robust Oral Hygiene Regime

The success and longevity of implants depend on the patient’s ability to maintain a robust oral hygiene routine. Those with other health issues, such as diabetes, may still have implants successfully, provided they follow a strict oral care regimen.

Failure to Integrate with Bone is Possible

In extremely rare cases, the implant may fail to integrate with the bone, which is sometimes caused by a bad bone pattern or an underlying infection in the bone. If this happens, it may be necessary to let it heal for several months, after which time the implant can be reinserted.

Can dental implants fail?

Dental implant failure is rare, but it can occur due to poor oral hygiene, smoking, or health conditions that affect bone healing.

Does a dental implant set off metal detectors?

No, a titanium dental implant rarely sets off metal detectors. Titanium is a non-magnetic metal, so you shouldn’t worry about setting off a metal detector with your implants.

Do dental implants hurt?

The implant procedure is performed under anesthesia, so you should feel minimal discomfort. After surgery, mild discomfort can be managed with pain medication.