Dental Implants
Why Are Dental Implants Better Than Dentures?
Dental implants are unlike dentures in several important ways. First, whereas dentures are designed to be taken out of a patient’s mouth when they sleep or whenever they would like to remove them, dental implants are actually attached directly to the bone of the jaw. In this way, they are quite similar to real teeth. Thanks to a process called osseointegration, the titanium that is used to anchor your new dental implants to your bone will allow the bone to grow around the metal and strengthen the entire area. So, unlike dentures (which are attached using an adhesive), dental implants effectively become new teeth.
Dental Implants Are Incredibly Versatile
Additionally, dental implants look and feel much better than dentures do. Because a set of dentures has to be designed to accommodate your remaining teeth and your gums, and because they need to be removable, they will always be clunkier and fit poorly compared to dental implants. Dentures also have a fairly steep learning curve where you have to figure out how to speak and eat with them in your mouth. Implants just feel right when compared to dentures.
Unlike bridges, which are only able to span limited distances due to their need for “anchor” teeth, implants can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth in any configuration. This is especially helpful for anyone who has lost teeth due to injury, severe decay, or other problems.
Dental Implant FAQs
Take a look at some questions we receive to understand what you can expect from getting dental implants.
Are Dental Implants Painful?
Overall, dental implants do involve some pain, but in most cases, it is easily managed.
During the procedure, patients will not feel any pain, as they’ll be anesthetized for the duration. As the medication wears off, however, it’s likely you will feel some pain at the incision sites. Many people take over-the-counter painkillers to treat this post-operative pain, but your dentist may be able to prescribe you stronger medication if necessary.
The pain should not last longer than 10 days after the operation. If it does, please reach out to us immediately, as it can indicate infection.
Why Can’t I Drink Dairy While My Dental Implants Heal?
As your dental implants heal, there is a list of things you should avoid until your doctor clears you. Dairy is at the top of this list for a couple of reasons. Dairy can trigger nausea and vomiting in some people, which can put you at an increased risk of infection. Dairy can also harbor bacteria, which would lead to inflammation and trouble healing after dental implant surgery.
Other things you should avoid directly following your surgery include:
- Chewy, sticky foods like meat, raw vegetables and caramel
- Crunchy foods like popcorn
- Food that is hot, spicy or acidic
Any of these foods can upset the delicate balance your mouth is trying to achieve for optimal healing conditions. Instead, try dairy-free fruit smoothies, softened potatoes, oatmeal and other soft, room-temperature foods. Also, try to incorporate lots of protein into your diet to promote recovery.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
When discussing the lasting effects of dental implants, we would be remiss not to mention the long lead period of dental implant installations. Before we can complete the procedure for the new tooth, we have to install a titanium post to connect the tooth to. This is a separate procedure and takes about three months to recover from enough for the next step. After that, we can fit you for the implant. It may take additional weeks or even months to recover after this procedure, too.
The benefit of this process is that once it’s done, you’re set for a long time. Once healed, dental implants can last up to 10 years with the proper care. The typical life span of a dental implant is 10 years or longer.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
For normal, healthy adults, dental implants are quite safe. All parts of the implant have been evaluated and approved by the FDA. Like all procedures, though, you may need to consider a dental implant carefully if you have certain risk factors like:
- A compromised immune system
- Certain allergies and preexisting conditions
- You smoke
Learn More About Dental Implants in East Brunswick, NJ
Contact us at Dr. Nahel Yanni’s dental office in East Brunswick today to find out how dental implants can change your life and your smile for the better! In addition to dental implants, we offer dental checkups, cleanings, fillings, and other restoration services. If you need sedation dentistry, we can help!