Positive and Negative of Dental Implants

Positive and Negative of Dental Implants Dental implants are very popular today. They are the preferred choice by many when natural teeth are missing. Commercials make dental implants sound very simple, and as if they always work, but everyone should know the facts prior to considering implants. As a nurse, you may encounter a patient who is interested in dental implants, whether it is because of an accident or for cosmetic reasons.

The Positive of Dental Implants Dental implants can, and often do work out well for someone missing teeth.

They look natural, and unlike dentures, they are permanent, and do not have to be removed nightly. Dentures can fit improperly at times, and that is not an issue with implants. There are some great advantages to dental implants.

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The Negative of Dental Implants First of all, there is really no guarantee that the implant will take, many people are, told there is a 50/50 chance. That is a pretty costly chance to take, if in fact it ends up not working. There can also be issues with the artificial substance in the mouth. On some occasions patients were in extreme and continuous pain, and ultimately had to have the implants removed. As a general rule, there is no exception for financial refunds if the implants are not successful. For one patient was quoted $3500 for 3 Implants. After 4 months of pain and infection she was advised the implants had to be removed. That procedure was $4800, and she then was faced with the cost of a partial, a very expensive lesson.

Dental implants can be a good option; however there are certain guidelines to ensure this procedure will work.  Be sure to locate a reputable oral surgeon. Ask friends and family for referrals, or check online for patient reviews. Many dentists are doing implants without extensive trainings, be sure they have adequate experience in cases such as the one to be performed.  Ask for a consultation prior to making your decision. The dentist should be willing to meet with you and explain the entire procedure, including risks. Inquire about recovery times and if future visits are included in the fees paid at the time of service.  Inquire about any partial refunds or guarantees if in fact the implant is not successful and has to be removed.  Discuss all of your medications. There are several medications that can make dental implants a poor choice. Certain drugs can promote

bone loss and gum disease, having implants is a poor choice in this case. Discuss the implants in advance; what method does the dentist use, how long with the procedure take, and what is the expected recovery time.

For many, dental implants have been a life changing experience for the good. As it is similar to ones own natural teeth. The best option is to locate an oral surgeon with at least 5 years of experience, and check references to determine patient satisfaction.

Related: 5 Ways Nurse Duties Have Evolve Doctors are divided on the subject of dental implants. Many feel a partial or dentures are a better option, while some feel they are a good choice. Dental implants can cause problems with anyone that has a compromised immune system that should be discussed with the dentist in the beginning. The best solution is to get a doctor's approval prior to arranging a dental implant procedure. This may involve blood tests, just to ensure there are no deficiencies, or autoimmune disorders.

After dental implants, plan on 3-5 days of treating swelling and pain, followed by several weeks of intermittent episodes of discomfort. For intense pain or fever, emergency care is necessary; these symptoms could be a sign of infection. Soft foods and liquids are often the food of choice for a period after implants; the oral surgeon will provide recovery information and instructions.

While dental implants have been used since the 1960’s, this has only become popular and more common in the last decade. The early implants were considered invasive surgery orally, and involved hospital stays. They had only a 30% chance of being successful, and this procedure was reserved for the very wealthy.

Most dental insurance plans do not provide coverage for dental implants, however, each policy differs, and there can be acceptations. As with an introduction of any foreign object into the body, dental implants can be rejected, so it's important to observe for signs of infection or rejection.

Speaking with a health care provider and getting at least two consultations and opinions regarding the implants can provide some assurance that the procedure will be successful.

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