4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Receive Dental Implants

Because you would get your teeth replaced during a surgical procedure, you may feel some trepidation about moving forward with dental implants. It seems like a big undertaking! You would really like to restore your smile and regain your confidence, but you’re still on the fence about going in for the treatment. Below are four reasons you shouldn’t be afraid to receive dental implants!

Reason #1: Getting Dental Implants is Not Painful

Thanks to local anesthetics like lidocaine and Novocain, you will experience no pain during implant surgery. These wonder drugs act as numbing agents at the site of the implant, and you’ll be impervious to feeling anything!

If you have acute anxiety about the surgery, many dentists offer methods of sedation to put your mind at ease. Nitrous oxide sedation involves fitting a nasal mask over the patient and administering “laughing gas” to create a calm, euphoric feeling free of worry. With the oral conscious sedation method, your dentist will give you a powerful anti-anxiety medication to take about an hour before surgery, so you’ll feel deeply relaxed. For patients with severe anxiety undergoing long treatments, sedatives can be given intravenously, allowing your dentist to quickly medicate you and adjust the medication for complete comfort for the duration of the treatment.

Reason #2: You’re Getting Care from an Experienced Professional

Dental implant surgery involves careful and detailed planning. Long before the procedure begins, your dentist prepares by reviewing all the specifics. For more complex cases, X-rays or CT scans are used to determine the precise location for the implant and to develop a surgical guide. This guide helps identify where to make the incisions needed to create the ideal space for the implant.

Additionally, if you’re working with a skilled, highly trained implant dentist, you can feel confident. Experienced dentists are well-equipped to handle the procedure efficiently.

Reason #3: Post-Op Discomfort is Minimal

Thanks to modern implantation methods and carefully planned surgical guides, patients undergoing dental implant procedures typically experience very little discomfort afterward. The surgery itself involves minimal disturbance to the surrounding tissue and nerves, and the dentist carefully closes the incision using self-dissolving stitches. If any pain relief is needed, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be recommended by your dentist.

Reason #4: Dental Implants Are the Gold Standard

There are several reasons dental implants are the most recommended method of tooth replacement by dentists:

• Durability: Dental implants are designed to last. On average, with proper maintenance, expect a lifespan of 25-30 years from your restoration.
• Top-to-bottom solution: Unlike dentures or bridges, implants replace the tooth from the root to the crown; a titanium post is implanted into your jawbone to form the foundation, and a crown is implemented up top for total tooth restitution.
• High success rate: Upwards of 95 percent of all dental implant surgeries are successful, meaning the post integrates with the jawbone for a firm base for your restoration to act on.

Now you know the truth – dental implants are no big deal! When all is said and done, you’ll have a restoration that you can be proud of for a lifetime.

About the Author

Dr. Carroll R. Butler has more than 28 years of experience in the dental field and has served the Kerrville community since 1997. He is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School at San Antonio and a proud Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. In addition to maintaining memberships with the American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association, Dr. Butler is a Mentor of the Kois Center, a continuing education program for practicing dentists. If you’re interested in receiving dental implants, give our office a call to schedule your appointment at (830) 257-4900 or visit us online.