If you’ve been considering getting dental implants but aren’t sure they’re worth the investment, it could be because you don’t know the truth about these prosthetic restorations. In the past, they have been the subject of plenty of rumors, many of which are simply not accurate. Don’t make a bad decision based on misinformation: here are five cool facts about dental implants that could help make your choice a whole lot easier!
They Stimulate Bone Growth
In addition to restoring the appearance of your smile and helping you chew a variety of nutritious foods, your dental implants also stimulate bone growth. When you lose teeth, your jawbone can deteriorate with time. Though they may slow this process down, simply replacing a tooth with dentures or a bridge isn’t enough to completely prevent this. But with dental implants, the jawbone once again receives the necessary stimulation to keep it in good condition, preventing deterioration and related tooth loss.
They Won’t Decay
Though they look and feel real, your dental implants are man-made, and thus cannot get cavities or tooth decay like natural teeth do. While you still need to brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly with your new restorations, with proper care they should look and feel their best for a lifetime!
They Have a High Success Rate
One rumor many patients may have heard is that dental implants can fail. But while this is true, it’s a lot less common than you might think. In fact, today’s dental implants boast a 95 percent success rate. While it isn’t always possible to predict if yours will fail, as long as you maintain your oral health and follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, yours have very good odds for survival.
They May Be Partially Covered by Dental Insurance
Yes, dental implants may cost more than dentures or a bridge, but thankfully many dental insurance policies now at least partially cover them. If you’re not sure if your plan does, speak to your dental team and they can check for you.
They’re More Affordable Than You Think
While dental implants may have a higher up-front cost than other methods of restoration, the good news is that with proper care they should save you money over time. Consider this: the average pair of dentures lasts between five and ten years. That means you can expect to invest in them up to four times in 20 years, and that doesn’t include relining procedures if they need repairs! With dental implants, however, you pay once, and as long as your implant doesn’t fail or the crown doesn’t break (which is rare if you only use them for food), you should not need to spend that money on them again.
Remember, when it comes to restoring lost teeth with dental implants, it’s easy to be confused by incorrect information, but don’t believe the hype! Replacing your teeth with these durable, natural-looking, permanent prosthetics is hands-down the best way to restore your smile!
About Our Practice
At Meadowbrook Dentistry, helping our patients achieve a beautiful smile is our number one goal, even if that means with restorations like dental implants. If you have lost permanent teeth for any reason, we can provide these prosthetics right here in our office and will be there with you for the entire process. To schedule a consultation for dental implants, please visit our website or call us today at 516-346-5655.