Performed for more than 50 years, dental implants are considered a safe tooth replacement procedure. For the majority of patients in good health, implants are extremely successful when performed by a suitably qualified professional.
Of course, like anything in life dental implants do pose a small degree of risk but you do need to meet certain eligibility criteria before your dentist will recommend implants as a course of treatment. This means that implant failure rates are quite low and success rates quite high.
If you are a high risk patient for surgery, your dentist will discuss any potential problems with you. A patient who has shown sensitivity to any of the metals that titanium may be alloyed with (such as copper, zinc, lead, iron or nickel) will not be considered a candidate for dental implants.
To be eligible for safe implants you should have healthy gums and good bone density to support the implant. Your mouth should be cavity-free and your level of dental hygiene should be high. It will also work in your favour if you are a non-smoker. Get a consultation at your local dental clinic to learn if you are a candidate for implants.
So Are Teeth Implants Safe?
Implants are intended to replace missing teeth safely and, in so doing, they can help prevent your other teeth from drifting into the spaces that would be left behind. Maintaining structural integrity makes it easier to follow an oral hygiene regime.
When compared to the other tooth replacement options, dentures, implants do not move around as much and have a more custom fit to your mouth shape.
Most dentists will advocate dental implants as “safe” if the patient ticks all the right boxes, but it is worth having a look at potential risks.
If you have gum disease or decay, your dentist will identify those during your initial consultation as this must be treated before you can go ahead with implants.
What Risks Do Dental Implants Pose?
You should take note that implants are a complex surgical procedure and there are a number of phases that need to be completed successfully in order for the implant to become fully integrated. It can take up six months to heal from the surgery so it is vital that you follow the treatment program your dentist recommends for you, including all your check ups and appointments.
While titanium is a biocompatible material, under extremely acidic conditions such as inflammation, it is possible for it to experience corrosion.
Under acidic conditions, it is also possible for the titanium of your implant to interact with other metals in your mouth; this process is called galvanic corrosion. If you have metal fillings or inlays in your mouth, your dentist will discuss this with you.
It is possible to develop an infection or for nerve damage to occur at the site of your implant. If an implant is placed where a tooth has recently been extracted, it is important that the site has healed completely.
Are dental implants safe? If you have diabetes, cancer or bone degradation, or your body’s ability to heal itself is compromised, your dentist may not recommend implants for your own safety.
It’s always best to discuss your specific requirements and questions with your dentist, so give us a call today and book a consultation: 02 9051 0600 .
