Risks of Dental Implants

When you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth, many different dental problems can arise. In order to address all of these issues, it\’s important that patients meet with a skilled Shreveport cosmetic dentist. Doing so will allow them to get the care that they need when it is most needed. One option that can prove effective is implant dentistry. Yet while dental implants have proven successful in many different cases, they do carry with them a certain degree of risk. We\’d like to take this opportunity to look at the various risks associated with dental implants so patients have a good understanding of what to expect from treatment.

Problems Associated with Missing Teeth

There are many aesthetic and dental health problems that are linked to tooth loss. The aesthetic problems are readily apparent given how unappealing gaps between teeth can look. Yet what\’s more serious are the dental health issues associated with missing teeth. These include:

• Gum recession in the area of the tooth gap
• Loss of bone density in the area of the tooth gap
• Gradual misalignment of the remaining teeth
• Potential loss of teeth adjacent to the tooth gap

What are dental implants?

Shreveport dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into your jawbone and gum tissue. When in place, the dental implant(s) can effectively anchor an individual dental crown, a dental bridge, a partial denture, or even a full denture.

Risks of Dental Implants

As with any dental care procedure that involves oral surgery, a certain degree of risk is involved. With the oral surgery itself, there is the potential risk of infection, excessive bleeding, poor healing experience, and blood clots. Generally these are taken into account when a patient is undergoing a consultation for dental implants at our Bossier City and Shreveport dental care centers. If the patient suffers from any health conditions that would make oral surgery a risky proposition, then an alternative therapy will be used instead.

There are also risks that people may experience as they recover from the surgical placement of the dental implants. The highest risk during the healing phase is rejection of the dental implant. Even though the dental implants are made from titanium (a metal that is biocompatible with human tissue), they may not become integrated into the soft tissues and hard tissues of the mouth. This process of osseointegration (the fusing between the implant, the bone, and the gums) is essential for successful implant dentistry treatment.

Do the benefits of dental implants outweigh the risks?

In general, we do believe that the benefits of dental implants outweigh the risks so long as a patient is a good candidate for implant dentistry to begin with. One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that they prevent gum recession and loss of bone density after tooth loss. Dental implants also provide the strongest possible hold for dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures. Finally we should note that rejection of dental implants is generally rare for most patients who are already good candidates for the procedure.

Before you make any choice regarding your dental health, we will be sure to discuss both the risks and the benefits of implant dentistry treatment so that you can make the best choices regarding your dental health.

Learn More About Advanced Dental Care Treatment Options

If you would like more information about dental implants and your many other options for replacing missing teeth, we encourage you to contact our Shreveport and Bossier City cosmetic dental care centers today. The entire team here is eager to meet you in person and help you make the best possible decisions regarding your dental health needs.