4 FAQS About Implants

A dental implant is the closest you can get to a real tooth. It is placed in the jaw in a minor surgical procedure. Inside the jaw, the implant fuses with the surrounding bone tissue and takes over some of the functions that were performed by the root of the missing tooth. 

This is to the patient's benefit. They get to avoid the loss of bone mass that often follows the loss of a natural tooth. They also restore their smile with permanent, artificial teeth that look, feel and function like the real deal.

These benefits are enough to get you to consider dental implants. Still, the thought of minor oral surgery will give some people pause. For such people, basic information about dental implants can go a long way in addressing concerns.

Important things you should know about implants

Here are some questions patients often ask before getting an implant:

1. What is the success rate of a dental implant?

It is north of 90 percent. This impressive number means that dental specialists take the utmost care when placing dental implants. They acquire the training, skill and experience that is needed to complete successful treatment plans that involve dental implants.

Most of all, they perform rigorous screenings of potential patients. They make sure to only recommend dental implants to patients who have a high chance of retaining their implants for a lifetime.

2. Who should get dental implants?

Dental implants are an investment on the part of the patient. A person must be ready to invest their time and money towards this treatment. The very first quality that a dentist will look for in a good candidate is a missing tooth or a tooth that cannot be saved.

When checking the suitability of a patient for dental implants, a dentist will check for:

• Good physical health to allow for dental implant surgery with no complications and fast recovery
• Good oral health to improve the success rate of the implant
• Sufficient bone mass in the jaw, enough to provide solid support for the implant
• The ability to receive a successful bone graft in case one is needed

A dentist will recommend alternatives for patients who:

• Grind their teeth
• Have bad habits like chain-smoking or poor oral hygiene
• Have health conditions that can be complicated by oral surgery

3. How long does it take to get dental implants?

It takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. It all depends on a patient’s unique set of circumstances. If a bone graft is necessary, the process will be longer than if the patient starts the implant procedure with implant surgery. Bone grafts take three months to recover from.

A person who gets an implant and abutment at the same time will also get their implant-supported tooth in a shorter time. A patient that gets a same-day crown will get a functional tooth in a single procedure. It all depends on what the dentist recommends and whether the patient is comfortable with their recommendation.

4. Do dental implants last for life?

That is the idea. It is important to remember that even natural teeth can last a lifetime in a healthy mouth that receives good dental care. So, imagine how much longer a dental implant, which is not vulnerable to infection, can last.

That said, for a patient to get the most out of their implant, the gums and jawbone must remain healthy. A person with implants needs to maintain good oral habits in order to keep their implant for the rest of their life.

Our dentist is happy to guide you through each step of your treatment

You need to feel confident as you start your treatment plan for implant-supported teeth. Our dentist knows this. They will take you through your options and help you to make the right choices for you. Get in touch with our practice to schedule an appointment.

Let's get started…

Request an appointment here: https://brimhalldentalgroup.com or call Brimhall Dental Group at (661) 249-1122 for an appointment in our Bakersfield office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.