Taking a Bite Out of Dental Implant Myths

Are you missing any teeth due to trauma, decay, or other common causes of tooth loss? Dental implants restore missing teeth to improve your smile and your overall dental health. However, myths about these denture alternatives persist that interfere with patients’ abilities to make informed decisions about their dental care. If you have missing teeth, ask about implants during your next appointment for general dentistry in Peoria. Here is a look at some of the persistent myths about dental implants, and the facts behind them.

Myth: Dental Implants Are Obvious

If you are concerned that people will know that you have dental implants, then you may be surprised to know just how natural implants look. Your dentist can design your implants to match the shape and color of your natural teeth precisely, so they blend in seamlessly. In fact, one of the reasons implants are used so frequently in cosmetic dentistry is because of the natural results they deliver. Since implants don’t move like dentures, there is no chance others will notice them when you eat or talk.

Myth: Dental Implants Are Painful

The dental implant process requires anchoring a post in your gum and allowing it to fuse with the bone in your jaw. Most patients are surprised at how simple the procedure actually is. Your dentist will use local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The healing time can take a few months before the final implant is in place, but patients are not in discomfort during that time, and most feel that the wait was worth it for the results of their implants.

Myth: Dental Implants Require Special Care

One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is that you can treat them just as you would your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, which must be removed to be cleaned, simply brush and floss your implants as normal. Because implants will never need fillings or root canals, once they are in place, they can last indefinitely.