Have you been considering dental implants as a way to replace a missing tooth but are unsure about it because of some myths that you've heard in the past? If so, you'll definitely want to know the truth about them.

Myth 1: Dental Implants Are Painful To Get

Since dental implants are a more invasive dental procedure than what someone may have done in the past, there is this assumption that it has to be painful. However, you won't feel any pain during the procedure itself. You'll be under anesthesia the entire time, and you can even use nitrous oxide to help to be very relaxed.

Myth 2: Dental Implants Do Not Look Natural

Worried about your dental implant not looking like one of your natural teeth? There is a reason that people get dental implants, and it is because they look so realistic. A lot of care is put into the crown placed on the titanium post to ensure it matches the surrounding teeth in terms of shape, size, and color. The goal is to create an artificial tooth that looks seamless with all of the teeth around it. 

Myth 3: Dental Implants Are Not For Young People

A common misconception about dental implants is that they are only for old people that have naturally lost some of their teeth. This isn't the case at all, since almost anyone can get a dental implant. All you need is enough support in your jaw bone to support the implant, and even if you don't, it's possible to get a bone graft.

Myth 4: Dental Implants Require A Post For Each Tooth

While a single post is used to place a single dental implant, that is not the case when someone is missing multiple teeth. A single implant is capable of supporting multiple teeth, which actually eliminates the need to have multiple posts installed into the jawbone. In extreme situations where someone is missing an entire row of teeth, it's possible to support them with just four dental implants. This is known as the all-on-four dental implant procedure. 

Myth 5: Dental Implants Don't Last Forever

Worried about getting a dental implant because you think it's a short-term solution for missing teeth? Know that it's possible for a dental implant to potentially last forever. You'll still need to brush and floss to keep the surrounding gums healthy, as problems like gum disease are why your implant could fail. 

Contact a dental service familiar with dental implants to find out more information.