What Are Some Little-Known Facts About Dental Implants?

If you’re looking for a way to replace missing teeth, dental implants may be the ideal solution. After all, they look and function just like real teeth and can even prevent or reverse bone loss in the jaws. However, there’s a lot of misinformation about them floating around that may not paint an accurate picture. Here’s a brief list of little-known dental implant facts to clear up confusion and set you up to make an informed decision.

Dental Implants Don’t Get Cavities

While natural teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay, dental implants cannot get cavities. Since they are made from titanium and porcelain, bacteria cannot break them down and metabolize them. However, this doesn’t absolve dental patients from practicing excellent oral hygiene. The most common cause of implant failure is gum disease, and neglecting to clean your teeth and gums regularly can lead to nasty infections. Stay on top of an excellent oral hygiene regimen to keep your smile in great shape.

Dental Implants Boast an Incredibly High Success Rate

If you’re worried about your dental implants failing after being placed, this can almost certainly be prevented if you take proper care of them and practice excellent oral hygiene. After all, dental implants have a success rate of over 95%, making them an excellent and safe investment in your oral and overall health.

Dental Implants Allow You to Eat Any Food

While traditional dentures are an excellent way for many people to restore their smiles, they only restore about 30% of a patient’s original chewing power. This means that many people must forgo favorite foods like steak and popcorn because they are too chewy or crunchy. Dental implants, on the other hand, are designed to fuse directly with the patient’s jawbone, creating a strong and sturdy foundation that allows them to handle literally anything you can eat. However, it’s important to avoid chewy and crunchy foods while your implants are still healing.

Don’t let misinformation get in the way of having a beautifully restored smile. Consulting with your dentist can help determine if dental implants are an excellent solution for your tooth loss.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Koenitzer earned his dental degree at the University of California at San Francisco and has been voted Best Dentist in Petaluma for six years in a row. He regularly furthers his education through continuing education classes so he can stay on top of the latest developments in dentistry. His office in Petaluma, CA offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as dental implant services. For more information on what dental implants may be able to do for you, contact his office online or dial (707) 766-6666.