3 Things You Need To Know About Getting Dental Implants
Even though dental implants have been around for many years, there is still a lot about them that people don't know. Here are three things you need to know about getting dental implants.
1. The dental implant is not a replacement tooth.
There is a lot of confusion about exactly what a dental implant is. A lot of times when people talk about getting dental implants, what they are really talking about is getting a replacement tooth. The dental implant plays a part in getting a replacement tooth, but it isn't the tooth itself.
Instead, the dental implant is a screw-like component that is implanted into the jawbone. This serves kind of like an anchor for the replacement tooth to be placed on top of it. The implant itself acts just like the root of a tooth and eventually fuses with the bone in your jaw, becoming a permanent part of it.
2. There is a chance of dental implant failure.
Another thing that many people don't realize is that dental implant success is not guaranteed. There is a chance that the dental implant will fail and you will need to undergo the procedure again. Sometimes, the dental implant failure is because the dentist didn't perform the procedure correctly. More often, however, the reason for failure has to do with the patient. Smoking and grinding your teeth in your sleep are two of the biggest reasons for patient-caused dental implant failure.
There are other things that can cause dental implant failure. They include
- Medications you take
- Poor quality dental implant material
- Not having enough jawbone for the implant
- Infections around the dental implant
Be aware of how the things you do can affect your dental implant after you get it.
3. Dental implants may be covered by your dental insurance policy.
Because of the cost of getting dental implants, some people have a difficult time paying for them. However, if you have a dental insurance policy, you should check to see if they are covered. Not all dental insurance polices offer coverage for dental implants, but some will under certain circumstances, such as if you lost your tooth as a result of a car accident. Keep in mind that they likely will only pay for a certain percentage of the procedure and you will be responsible for the rest.
Now that you know a little more about getting dental implants, you should be better able to discuss them with your dentist. Dental implants aren't for everyone, but your dentist will be able to tell you if they are a possible solution for your dental problem.
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