Implantation: Myths and Realities

MYTH ONE: It is excruciatingly painful

The dental implant placement procedure is no longer painful. Only a single anesthesia injection is enough to make it pain-free. Contrary to me common belief, the jawbone, which an implant is placed into, does not have any nerve receptors and therefore it cannot hurt. And the latest technological innovations, Such as the seamless method of implants placement, the modern system of computer diagnostics and the treatment and surgery planning make it possible to minimize all the posterior painful sensations.

MYTH TWO: The Risk of implant rejection is very high

The risk of implant rejection is very low. The average number of implant rejections is only 3% out of all cases. The vast majority of implants gets successfully settled down in the mouth and functions normally for the patients, who are relatively healthy and without any serious endocrine system and metabolic disorders. The implants are made of biologically inert material, which provides an effective fusion with bone tissue.

MYTH THREE: The Implants can’t be offered to everybody, as there are too many contra-indications

Pregnancy is considered to be a temporary contra- indication for all the dental implantation. Patients with systemic diseases of internal organs (diabetes, hypertension) as well as those who have bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse) should be approached with a little bit or more heed. Although it does not mean that the implantation is not possible for these patients. If such patients have an appropriate postoperative management, even in cases of sever forms of diabetes, the implants settle down and function well.

MYTH FOUR: The implantation procedure takes a very long time

The implant placement procedure itself can be completed in one single session and its takes about 20-30 minutes. The standard dental implant settling time is from 3 to 8 months, at the end of which a doctor starts making a permanent crown for the inserted implant. Moreover thanks to the modern technology, in many cases a temporary crown can be placed on the inserted implant on the spot. The period of implant service is practically a life time, that’s why it is worth suffering a little bit in order to have beautiful teeth for the rest of your life.

MYTH FIVE: Patients have no teeth or have ugly pieces of ironmongery in the mouth while the implants are setting down

The temporary dental prosthetic devices (including both removable and not removable dentures) are used to solve the problem of the patient’s aesthetic appearance during the implant settling down period. These temporary dentures help to hide all the apertures in the mouth and enable people to live their full life. The temporary dentures can be made both of metal ceramics and plastic.

MYTH SIX: The implantation if very expensive

Yes the cost of the implant placement is quite high. But in reality the cost of the implant prosthesis for one lost tooth is the same as the cost of the dental bridge for the same lost tooth, consisting of three crowns. And what is more, the payment for the implant placement is, so called, a “one-time” payment. A successfully placed implant will not require any more expenses, except the expenses for buying toothpaste. Normally the implants last no less than 10 years.

MYTH SEVEN: Elderly people should not have the implants placed

Age is not considered to be a contra-indication for the dental implantation. The risk factors can be metabolic disorders, severs types of cardiovascular diseases, diffuse diseases of connective tissue, etc. The dental implantation usually becomes possible after appropriate health improvement procedures are carried out by general medical professionals.

MYTH EIGHT: The implants can cause pain and provoke other diseases

Let us have a critical look at the dental prosthesis once again: they can causes problems. Even if they are placed and adjusted pretty well, they may still become a cause of pain. They can lead to inflammation if they cut into gums. The poorly adjusted dentures can cause various complications due to the constant gums irritation. The implants do not usually create any of those problems. The Successfully functioning implants do not cause pain and do not lead to inflammation or irritation.

MYTH NINE: The Implants may destroy bones

The Implants don’t destroy bones. In fact, the opposite is true. The implants prevent the decrease in bone density and stimulate bone growth. The Only case associated with the bone destruction because of the implantation is related to the complications of a conducted operation. This may happen when a “broken” implant is left in the jaw of a long time. Such cases are extremely rare; moreover, this kind of complication can be avoided by regular visits to the dentist for the oral cavity examination, which should take place regardless of the implant presence in the mouth.