According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, over 500,000 Americans get dental implants each year. Most dentists will tell you that they’re the gold standard of tooth replacement options; they look and feel incredibly natural, and stop the process of bone loss that can happen with dentures and bridges.
However, because they require surgery, you may wonder if dental implants carry any risk. It’s understandable to feel that way, so here’s a little bit of information about the safety of dental implants.
Are Dental Implants Safe?
Dental implants are remarkably reliable, with a nearly 95% success rate. However, like any other surgical procedure, there are a few risks. Infection is the biggest one, which some people are more susceptible to than others. Some patients may also have trouble with the healing process. Finally, there is the chance of surgical errors, though those are exceedingly rare if you’re dealing with a qualified implant dentist.
Most dentists are well aware of where things could go wrong and will likely stop you from getting the surgery at all if you’re at serious risk. In the end, most dental implant patients don’t have anything to worry about.
Who is at Risk for Dental Implant Complications?
As was mentioned previously, healing properly and resisting infection are both critical to dental implants’ success. That means that immunocompromised patients are the most at risk for complications after a dental implant procedure. If you’re diabetic, or currently on immunosuppressants, you should talk to your dentist about whether your condition would make it hard to get dental implants.
The other group most at risk is smokers. One Italian study found that smokers were 14% more likely to see their implants fail than non-smokers.
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning that it cuts off blood flow to the extremities, including the mouth. If you smoke, vape, or even chew nicotine gum, your dental implant will likely not receive enough blood flow to heal properly. It’s therefore recommended that smokers quit for two weeks before and ninety days after the dental implant procedure.
While it’s good to know the risks, it’s worth reiterating that dental implants are incredibly safe. You should talk carefully with your dentist about your health, but if they clear you for surgery, you can rest assured that things will almost certainly go well.
About Our Practice
At My Frederick Dentist, we try to make sure that our patients feel seen and cared for. We won’t force you to wait for hours in our office only to see the dentist for 5 minutes; we’ll try and get you to the dentist as quickly as possible, and our team will ensure that you get the one-on-one attention that you deserve. That’s why our patients have come to trust us for all their dental needs.
If you have any questions about dental implants, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (301) 698-9552.