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Common Dental Implant Questions

If you are considering getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you probably have many questions. This revolutionary procedure is ideal for so many of our patients, and it’s Dental Implant FAQsthe one our office receives the most calls about.

Whether you have lost teeth due to injury, decay, gum disease or age, implants can restore your smile and give you the feel and function of natural teeth.

Who Can Get Dental Implants?

Anyone who is missing a tooth (or teeth) and whose jaw has finished growing may be a candidate for this method of tooth restoration.

Generally speaking, if you are healthy enough to have a tooth extraction or other dental work, you are probably a good candidate for implants. Certain chronic conditions (including leukemia and diabetes) and other factors (smoking or other tobacco use, for example) may affect the healing process. Your oral surgeon will carefully review your dental and health history and examine your mouth to see if implants will work in your case.

If X-rays determine that you have bone loss in the jaw, you may need a bone graft before the implants can be inserted. A transplant of bone tissue will strengthen the jaw and provide the support needed to maintain these restorations successfully over time.

Why Choose Implants Instead of Bridges or Dentures?

Most people find bridges and dentures to be uncomfortable, as they can slip or shift in the mouth. Bridges also require the adjacent teeth to be ground down to support the appliance.

With dental implants, no modifications to your healthy teeth are necessary. And the replacement roots (high-grade titanium posts) protect the jaw from bone loss, which isn’t the case with other restoration options.

In fact, the reason dentures become ill-fitting so quickly is that the bony ridge of your jaw continues to deteriorate for the rest of your life!

Dental implants, however, feel and function just like natural teeth. They are secure and strong, and they make it possible for you to once again eat all of the foods you enjoy.

Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth, unlike other restorations that may need to be adjusted or replaced every few years. With proper brushing and flossing and regular dental visits, implants can last a lifetime.

Are Implants Safe?

According to the American Dental Association, more than 5 million dental implants are successfully completed in the United States every year. This number is on the rise too, as more dental professionals have begun offering this procedure.

Implant surgery has been proven to be safe, with a success rate of up to 98 percent when performed by a qualified and experienced oral surgeon. Contemporary implants have been in use for several decades, and oral health professionals consider them to be the safest and most effective method for replacing missing teeth.

We always welcome your questions about any of our services or procedures. Contact Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah, serving the entire Salt Lake area, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Partridge or Dr. Maxfield. We would love to talk to you about how dental implants can restore your healthy smile.

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