Did you have a bad accident and lose a tooth recently? Maybe your friends dared you to open a bottle with your teeth (why, though?) Let’s be honest, the ol’ gap-tooth pirate look is a hard pass, except on Halloween. Now you’re thinking about fixing that gap with a dental implant. But you also heard a story somewhere about someone (your next-door neighbor’s sister’s husband maybe?) who said implants sometimes fail. So now you’re worried about the success rate of dental implants. Enter the unsung heroes of modern dentistry, swooping in to save the day – and your smile, one implant at a time. But are they worth all the hype? Spoiler alert: Definitely! Let us tell you why.
What is a Dental Implant?
Think of it like this. Your favorite full-grown shade tree in your yard recently fell down in the last storm. You want to replace it but you don’t want to wait years for a sapling to grow into a big tree. So you have the local tree company plant a full-grown tree in your yard, replacing the lost one. It costs more but it’s so worth it.
With teeth, we are not planting anything, only replacing them. You will get a high-tech, titanium post installed into your jawbone. Once the site heals, you will get a brand-new tooth attached to that post. Voila! Everything is back to normal, no more gap-tooth pirate!
Whether you need to replace just one tooth or a mouthful, dental implants have you covered. So, whether you’re missing a front tooth from that run-in with the revolving door incident or an entire row from questionable life decisions, implants can fill the gap – literally.
Success Rate of Dental Implants: Spoiler, It's Better Than You Think!
Good news: the success rate of dental implants is 95%. That’s higher than most of us could ever hope for in any life endeavor. Have you tried the latest diet recently? It didn’t work too well, did it? Or maybe you thought you could master Tango dancing in a few weeks to impress that new friend? But you discovered you have two left feet and gave that up after the first lesson. But the success rate of dental implants is a solid win.
Why are they so successful? Basically, your jawbone gripes the titanium post and grows around the implant, locking it in place. Throw in some high-tech advancements in the field of dentistry and a highly trained and knowledgeable dentist, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for dental perfection.
What Factors Influence the Success Rate of Dental Implants?
Now, before you get too excited about your soon-to-be perfect smile, let’s talk about what can make or break the success rate of dental implants.
- Overall Health: If you have diabetes, smoke, or have a few other health conditions, these can mess with your healing process. Many dentists will not even consider implants for their patients if they smoke.
- Bone Health: You need a solid foundation for that titanium post to hang onto. If your jawbone is porous or as sturdy as a sandcastle at high tide, the implant might struggle to take hold and stay put. Bone grafts can be an option to help improve that foundation. See more below on bone grafts.
- Oral Health: Keep those pearly whites brushed and healthy, folks! If your gums aren’t happy with your oral care routine or you only brush your teeth on special occasions and never floss, your implant is not going to make it.
- Expertise: Your dentist will address all of these risk factors beforehand. If they don’t bring any of these questions up and just say, “Let’s do this!”- get a second opinion from a real implant-trained and certified dentist.
What is the Life of an Implant?
If you take care of these shiny new teeth (along with the other ones you were born with), the new ones can last you over 20 years or even a lifetime! They’re basically like the perfect houseplants – low maintenance but require the occasional watering (or, in this case, brushing and flossing and regular visits to your dentist). Keep all your teeth healthy, and you’ll be chewing on ears of yummy corn and BBQ ribs for years to come.
Success Rate of Dental Implants
In the hierarchy of dental solutions, implants are at the top. They are long-lasting and durable. They blend in so well that no one will ever know they’re not your real teeth (unless you decide to brag about it, which is entirely up to you). With a success rate higher than most people’s high school math grades, dental implants are the way to go for anyone looking to replace missing teeth and get back to smiling like they mean it.
But Wait, There’s More: Bone Grafts – The Unsung Hero of Future Dental Procedures
Sometimes, your jawbone needs a little extra help before it can hold an implant. That’s where bone grafts come in. Think of it like patching up a wall before hanging a picture. If the bone isn’t strong or thick enough, sometimes a graft can fix that. This will ensure a solid foundation for your future dental masterpiece. If your dentist says you need one, don’t panic – it’s all part of building a long-lasting, beautiful smile.
So go ahead, take the plunge, and embrace the future of tooth technology, and give us a call to discuss your new implant today! Your grin will thank you.