What You Might Be Wondering About Dental Implants

Dental implants can be a good choice for those who are missing teeth, or who need some teeth extracted, but who don't want a bridge or full dentures installed. Dental implants actually screw right into the gum line, so that they're permanent and don't need to be taken out and cleaned on a regular basis. If it's been recommended that you get dental implants or one implant, note a few questions you might have about this process so you can determine if it's the right choice for your dental care needs.

Are dental implants truly permanent?

Dental implants are permanent in that they get screwed into the bone, as said, but this doesn't mean they won't eventually need repair or replacement. A dental implant can get damaged in an accident, just like natural teeth, and may eventually wear down from grinding your teeth. Also, if your jawbone shifts with age, which is not unusual, your teeth may then begin to rub up against each other, and this constant rubbing can cause erosion of the dental implant so that it may need to be replaced. However, a good implant should last for many years, if not even decades, before it needs replacing, so ask your dentist how long you should expect your own implant to last after it's put into place.

Can you be allergic to implants?

Very rarely will someone be allergic to the titanium or other metal that is used for a dental implant. Also, you may have some issues with the bone and gums not healing around the implant itself, so that it doesn't properly fuse to the bone. These cases, however, are few and far between, and you typically do not need to worry about allergic reactions or your body outright rejecting a dental implant.

Can a dental implant slip around or become crooked?

The small metal post of an implant that is screwed into the bone and gum line should stay very secure, as it's implanted deep enough to stay steady, and the bones and tissue should also heal and fuse around the implant. This also helps to keep it strong and secure, and in place.

If your dental implant should ever begin to feel loose or start to look crooked, this may signal that it has been damaged, that you're experiencing bone loss in the jaw, or that the implant is suffering erosion and wear. In these cases, the implant may need to be replaced and repaired so that it stays in place.


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