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Dental implants use a titanium root and an attached artificial tooth to replace your missing natural tooth. The procedure is becoming increasingly common due to the realistic appearance and feel of the implants. However, some myths about dental implants persist that might have you convinced it's not the best option for you. Here are the facts behind those myths.
Myth: Implants Are Better Than Bridges or Dentures
Implants aren't the only option for filling gaps where teeth are missing. A bridge has a similar artificial tooth, minus the root, that's suspended between two crowns. The crowns are essentially artificial caps that are bonded to neighboring, healthy teeth to hold the bridge in place.
Another option is a partial denture, which consists of a series of artificial teeth on a small mouth tray. The ends of the tray are able to slip over neighboring teeth if the gap is small or is made to fit tightly to your gums if the gap is larger. Dentures are the only one of the three options that are easily removable.
So are implants any better than bridges and dentures? The choice ultimately comes down to your personal needs but implants offer some clear advantages. Having the tooth actually rooted into your bone offers a greater level of stability and control of the tooth. This means that your chewing, talking, and the way you hold your mouth -- also called your bite -- won't be noticeably impacted by the implant. Bridges are the next best at stability since the crowns hold the artificial tooth firmly in place. But damage to those crowned teeth can make the whole thing structurally unstable. And partial dentures are prone to slipping around, which makes for difficult chewing, and can rub your gums raw.
Myth: Implants are Painful and Involved
When you visit an oral surgeon to receive a dental implant, you are put under anesthesia so you won't feel a thing during the procedure. Afterwards, you can expect some general soreness in the area on par with having a tooth removed. The advised recovery time of three to nine months can seem scary, but that doesn't mean you will be in pain or even notice the implant for that length of time.
Recovery time for an implant simply refers to how long it takes for the titanium root to fuse with your bone. Your dentist, one like Peter T. Andolino, DMD, PC, will provide instructions for how to treat the tooth during this time, but you won't be prohibited from eating solid foods during most of the recovery time.
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