3 Important Factors To Understand When Getting A Dental Implant
If you have to get a dental implant, then having all of the right information can make a difference in how you choose to proceed with the process. Here are 3 important things that you need to understand when you get a dental implant.
To Graft or Not to Graft
First, one of the major considerations is whether or not you should get bone grafted as part of the implant process. If you need an implant along part of your palate that is very thin and does not contain much bone substance, then the implant can fail after a few years because it will not be able to stay in place very well.
A bone graft is more painful, but it will allow the implant to stay in for the rest of your life. Your oral surgeon will have to graft bone from your mouth or from an animal in many cases, and this bone will be added to your palate around the implant.
You can expect quite a bit of pain and swelling for a few days, and you will have to wait several months before you can get a crown added. This is because the doctor needs to make sure that the implant is going to take and that the bone graft is not rejected by your body. Sometimes several months are needed for this process to be fully complete.
Crown Replacement
While your implant should never need to be replaced, you will most likely have to replace the crown several years down the line. This is an added expense that you need to expect, but the good part is that no surgery will be needed.
If you are considering dentures over implants, consider that you will probably have to get your dentures replaced many times, or you will at least have to get some major adjustments that are expensive. Even replacing a crown every decade or so is not that expensive compared to the adjustment your dentures would need.
Going Under
Lastly, you will have to be put under when you get dental implants because of the trauma that occurs to your mouth. This means that there is some risk involved, but you will be much better off if you are put under so that your body is not tense during the procedure.
If you have other serious health problems, then being put under may not be the best choice for you. At that point, you will have to talk to your oral surgeon about whether or not implants are really the right choice for you.
By understanding these 3 things, you can make a decision as to whether or not you want to proceed and how you want to proceed with the process.