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Are Dental Implants Safe? Everything You Need to Know

Faris Kirmani • June 23, 2022

Are you considering the best option for replacing your missing teeth? If so, you might be wondering, are dental implants safe?

The quick answer is yes. The dental implant procedure has been used successfully in dentistry for over fifty years and is widely regarded as safe.

Dental implants have become the go-to treatment for replacing missing teeth because of their benefits over other restorations such as bridges and dentures.

But is it safe for anyone to have dental implants?

Are there any situations where a person shouldn't have implants?

You can find out all the answers below, so keep on reading.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

We mentioned earlier that dentists regularly recommend implants as the best treatment for teeth lost to decay, disease, and injury. But why is this?

Dental implants have proven to be one of the most reliable dental procedures, with a success rate over ten years of 95%.

Moreover, dental implants are the closest a person can get to having their natural teeth back. It's little wonder that they're often referred to as the third set of teeth.

Implants offer several advantages over other restoration systems, including:

Appearance – Because implants are placed into the jawbone, they look and feel just like natural teeth.
Comfort – Implants fuse with the jawbone, becoming a permanent, stable feature in the mouth. As a result, no discomfort or chafing is experienced as with dentures that tend to move.
Oral health – Unlike a dental bridge, implants are a stand-alone procedure that eliminates the need to modify healthy teeth. Furthermore, implants stimulate healthy bone tissue growth, preventing jawbone shrinkage.
Speech – There's no need to worry about slurred speech that often accompanies loose bridges and slipping dentures.

At Riverlands Dental, we want you to get the best possible results from your treatment, which is why our dentist will often recommend dental implants over a bridge or dentures. This leads to the question, are dental implants safe for everyone?

Who can undergo the dental implant procedure?

Tooth implants have been used successfully in dentistry for over five decades but primarily in patients with good oral and medical health.

A few conditions could prevent a patient from being immediately eligible for implants and include:

Those with insufficient healthy bone to support a dental implant.
Those with active periodontal (gum) disease.
Those with pre-existing chronic conditions, including heart disease or diabetes.

However, these conditions do not exclude a person from having dental implants at a later date. For example:

A bone graft can be used to supplement the bone in the jaw to support an implant.
If periodontal disease is an issue, a dentist can treat this before dental implant surgery.
In the case of pre-existing chronic conditions, a dentist will discuss the situation with your doctor to assess your circumstances.

The good news is that most conditions are not an absolute contraindication to getting dental implants. There are however a few rare circumstances where it would be unwise for a dentist to use implants.

So, who shouldn't be fitted with dental implants?

Implants are commonly made from titanium and alloys for additional durability. If you are sensitive to zinc, copper, lead or nickel, your dentist will likely recommend an alternative dental solution to replace lost teeth.
In some cases, metal fillings can negatively interact with titanium dental implants. If you happen to have metal fillings, your dentist will be able to determine if this rules out implants.
If you smoke heavily and aren't willing to stop, your dentist is likely to recommend a better solution for you.
If you have an underlying heart condition then undergoing dental surgery may not be feasible for you.

To find out if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, why not visit a dentist that offers a free consultation near you?

More about the dental implant procedure

If you are a candidate for dental implants you might want to know other information such as, How long does the implant procedure take? Does dental implant surgery hurt? And Is it safe?

The dental implant procedure takes several months to complete as it is performed in multiple stages with a waiting time between each step.

Our dentist, Dr Faris Kirmani, has extensive training in dental implants and is highly skilled in dental implant surgery, so you are in safe hands.

Dental implant surgery is nothing to fear. Patients are administered local anaesthesia to numb the relevant area of the mouth, and sedation to help them relax is also available on request. Dental implant surgery for a single implant can take as little as twenty minutes - and that's the worst bit over.

Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, which can take several months, an abutment will be attached to the implant. This tiny component connects the implant with the restoration crown, bridge, or denture to keep it securely in place.

The final stage of the implant procedure is to attach a dental crown, bridge or denture and hey presto, your new teeth are now ready to use.

Our dental team is with you every step of the way, monitoring you closely to ensure you are comfortable. You can find out more by booking a dental consultation near you in North Richmond.

Your smile is safe with us

Once in place, implants feel and function just like natural teeth. Advanced technology, top quality implants, and dental expertise ensure that dental implants are safe for our patients.

Why not schedule a consultation at your local dental clinic – Riverlands Dental. We'll be happy to explain the implant procedure, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. Call us today on (02) 4501 7930 or use our online booking system.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.