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Understanding Dental Implants – Answering Your Most Common FAQs

If you’re considering getting dental implants from Dr. Brett Blacher in Lombard, you may have some questions about the process. During your consultation at our Lombard dental office, you can get all the answers you need to feel comfortable with your treatment.

1. Is A Dental Implant A Tooth?

No! As a matter of fact, the term “dental implant” refers to the small, rod-shaped post that serves as an artificial root, and is implanted into your gum and jaw tissue. The dental implant by itself is not a tooth.

Dental implants are most commonly finished with a single ceramic crown or false tooth. This is why the term “dental implant” has often come to mean a dental implant with a single tooth attached to it.However, dental implants can be used for more than just supporting a single crown. Multiple implants can be used to create dental bridges, or even a full arch of permanent dentures, with technology like All-On-Four.

2. How Safe Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are extremely safe, especially when performed by an experienced dentist like Dr. Brett Blacher. More than 3 million dental implants are placed every single year, and the procedure has been in use for more than 50 years, as a way to replace teeth after extractions.

Just how safe are they? Multiple studies have shown that the success rate for dental implants is well in excess of 96%.

3. Are There Any Complications From Dental Implants?

There are a few rare complications that could be caused by dental implants, such as:

  • Peri-implantitis – This is an infection of the gum and dental implant site, usually caused by improper implant disinfection procedures, or a failure by the patient to maintain proper oral hygiene. It occurs in about 10% of patients, and can be avoided by caring for your implant properly.
  • Nerve damage – With proper mapping and imaging of the mouth, nerve damage is avoided during the implant procedure. However, it is still a complication to consider, despite its rarity.
  • Sinus problems – In some cases, an improperly-placed implant could breach the sinus cavity when placed in the upper jaw. This can be avoided with proper technique, and performing a sinus lift before the implant surgery, if necessary.

4. Are Dental Implants Really Permanent? How Long Do They Last?

Dental implants can last 30+ years, or even longer with proper care. It is not uncommon to hear of a dental implant that lasts more than 50 years. For all intents and purposes, they are permanent and will likely last you for the rest of your life.

The key to a long-lasting dental implant is proper oral care. You must be sure to see Dr. Brett Blacher for a check-up and teeth cleaning every 6 months, and to brush and floss properly.

More Questions? Schedule Your Appointment Today!

Hopefully, this post has answered some of your questions about dental implants. Got more questions? We’d love to hear them!

Schedule a consultation with the office of Brett Blacher, DDS now, by contacting us by phone at (630) 916-0701, or dropping by our Lombard office at 450 E 22nd St, #201, Lombard, IL 60148.

We’d love to hear from you, and Dr. Blacher can answer any other questions you may have about dental implants, and perform an examination to determine if implants are the right solution to replace your missing teeth.

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