To receive dental implants, you have to undergo oral surgery, have the implants anchored to your jawbone, and wait six to 12 months for the osseointegration process to be complete. It’s a fairly involved treatment, so you might naturally be wondering how safe it is to actually do all of that.
Fortunately, the FDA considers dental implants a safe tooth replacement option, and there are three very good reasons why! Keep reading to learn more.
1. Impeccable Success Rates
In order to give their stamp of approval to medical devices like dental implants, the FDA has to have concrete evidence that the treatment process is safe and the device doesn’t cause harmful long-term consequences.
Modern implants have been used in dentistry since the late 60’s to early 70’s and have received a lot of attention from researchers. To-date, they have an overall success rate of 90%! Studies have consistently shown that even after 10 years of use, dental implants are extremely likely to benefit your smile without issue.
2. Careful Examination
Though dental implants are incredibly reliable, there are certain conditions that can complicate the treatment process. If you have gum disease, for example, the disease could cause your gumline to shrink, leaving your implants without sufficient support. Without intervention, your implants could even fall out!
This is why dentists are so keen on consultations. During these types of visits, they’ll carefully review your health history and examine your mouth for any conditions that could cause your implants to fail. With prompt treatment, they can better ensure your safety.
3. Strategic Planning
Not all patients are ready for dental implants as soon as they step through the doors! Besides existing oral conditions, they may also lack enough bone or gum density to properly hold the implants in place. In these cases, strategically planning a bone or gum graft can make an otherwise difficult procedure entirely possible! Rest assured, your dentist will customize your treatment plan to suit you and your smile.
The dental implant process can seem daunting, but you have a qualified professional who will guide you the entire way. They’ll make sure your treatment is as safe as possible and that you have everything you need for success. Listen to their instructions, and you’ll be able to enjoy your new implants soon enough!
About the Author
Dr. Jasmine King has been providing quality dental care to patients near Fort Worth for almost 20 years. Though she received her dental degree from The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, she actively pursues continuing education opportunities to keep her skills sharp and stay up to date with the latest trends in dentistry. If you’re interested in dental implants, Dr. King would be happy to discuss them in more detail during a consultation. To contact her office, call 817-292-7488.