Posted: May 20, 2021
Dentists in the United States place millions of dental implants each year. Despite the popularity of this tooth replacement option, patients often feel uncertain about the treatment. Here are three myths about dental implants that may be holding you back from enjoying a strong, healthy, and beautiful smile.
1. Dental Implants Are Purely Cosmetic
It’s true that modern dental implants have an incredibly natural appearance and can make your smile look outstanding. What isn’t true is the notion that they only offer cosmetic benefits. In reality, they provide far more advantages for your oral health and function, such as:
- Restoring full strength and bite force
- Preserving facial structure and preventing jawbone collapse
- Keeping other teeth from shifting out of place
- Overcoming issues with eating and speaking
- Avoiding additional consequences of tooth loss
2. You Need A Dental Implant for Every Missing Tooth
Since a dental implant acts like the root of a lost tooth, it’s easy to think that you’ll need one for every gap in your smile. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. It’s possible to place fewer implants when done strategically.
You may be a candidate for replacing several missing teeth with just two dental implants and a bridge. If you’ve lost a full arch to decay or trauma, you may benefit from a denture secured to four or more implants. Talk to our dentist about your options.
3. Dental Implants Often Come Loose or Fall Out
You may have heard about something called dental implant failure. It happens when an implant doesn’t integrate with a patient’s jawbone the way that it should. This can cause an implant to wiggle around or even fall out.
The good news is that dental implant failure is very rare. Studies have shown that implants have a 90-95% success rate over the first ten years. They can last a lifetime with a good oral hygiene routine and regular dental checkups.
Schedule a Free Dental Implant Consultation in Austin
It’s time to stop hiding your smile or wearing uncomfortable adhesive dentures. Dr. John Schmid has been placing dental implants for over two decades. He has the skill and experience needed to restore your smile after tooth loss.
Schedule a free dental implant consultation today by calling 512-329-5967. Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry serves Austin, Bee Cave, Lakeway, and nearby areas of Texas.
