Many people continue to have doubts or accept as true certain claims about implants that are completely false.
Each year they are placed in Spain between 1,200,000 and 1,400,000 dental implants per year, a figure that gives an idea of the extent of this treatment today.
“Dental implantology procedures have been used for more than 35 years old and they are verified as an effective method to replace the lack of certain dental parts”affirms the Dr. Rosa Puigmal, member of the Spanish Society of Periodontics and Osseointegration (SEPA).
Nevertheless, “Today many people still have their doubts or accept as true certain statements that are completely wrongand this could undermine confidence in this treatment and truncate expectations”Add.
Dr. Rosa Puigmal explained in the informative magazine of the KNOW the most common false myths that still circulate around dental implants.
Myth 1: Implants are for life
There duration implants is different in every patient and there is no exact expiry date, but they are not free from complications, especially in patients with undiagnosed periodontitis and/or untreated, smokers and those who are unable to maintain a good oral hygiene.
In the case of people who smoke, they are diabetics or have other health problems, this duration may be significantly reduced.
“There lack of dental hygiene This will cause infections which will also affect the useful life of these implants.”said Dr. Puigmal.
Myth 2: No need to deal with implants
“Dental implants need to be cared for identical to natural teethmaintaining adequate oral hygiene to prevent them from becoming infected, causing diseases such as mucositis or peri-implantitis”advises Dr. Puigmal.
You have to take one proper oral cleanliness and go to control the visits. During the visits, the specialist will assess the condition of the peri-implant tissues, will eliminate visible and invisible bacterial deposits (located under the gumline) and check if the oral hygiene is correct. Its very important periodically check the condition of the prosthesesits adjustment, need repair and check if it is easy to clean.
Myth 3: The rejection rate is very high
This is another of the most widespread myths. Dental implants usually consist of surgical titaniuman inert material, biocompatiblewith the ability to embed into bone and very well tolerated by soft tissues.
It is a material used for several decades in various medical specialties in the form of valves. heart, plates, screws and prostheses after traumatological injuries.
Titanium showed no toxic or irritant reaction on living tissue. So far he has not been identified. biological rejection from a patient to an implant, although there may be failures in osseointegration (the process by which the implant is attached to the bone).
Early failures are few and are usually related to infections or poor conditions of the operated area. In addition, the fact that an implant is lost does not mean that the patient cannot wear implants in his life: once removed, and the period of tissue healing has passed, another can be placed successfully.
Myth 4: Implant placement is painful
“It’s a complex treatment, but not painfulsince it is performed under local anesthesia, or it can be accompanied by assisted sedation if the complexity of the case requires it”remembers Dr. Rosa Puigmal.
Implants can be placed in outpatient surgeries of short duration, under the effect of local anesthesia, and recovery is usually rapid. The postoperative It’s not particularly painful or embarrassing either.. In each case, the specialist will establish the appropriate medication during the first days following the intervention.
Myth 5: I am not old enough to have dental implants
Nail optimal chewing function This is of great importance at any age, and dental implants are a good option for restoring missing teeth. There age should not be an obstacle for placing implants. The only limit is the medical condition of the patient and therefore it is important to take a good medical history.
On the other hand, there is a minimum age for the placement of an implant: it is 18 to 21 years oldwhen the period of bone growth is over, it is therefore not advisable to place implants before this age, although each case will have to be assessed.
Myth 6: With little bone, the implant is not viable
“It is believed that if a patient has little bone tissue in the jaw bones, they will not be a candidate for a dental implant; however, it’s completely wrong“emphasizes Dr. Puigmal.
There are different methods and techniques, such as Bone regeneration, which allow the bones to be rehabilitated thanks to certain treatments. THE bone graftsas well as advances in technology and materials, allow us to deliver optimal results.
Myth 7: If I have implants, they can’t do an MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common diagnostic test for musculoskeletal or cerebrovascular examinations that is used to get high resolution images of the human body, especially the soft tissues. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not use ionizing radiation (X-rays).
MRI machines can interfere with iron or ferromagnetic objectsbut dental implants are made of titanium or zirconium and are not included in these categories. However, before an MRI, it is important to state that you have a dental implant.
Myth 8: Any dentist can place implants
“The dental professional who places the implants must be trained in implant surgery and have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience in the management of hard and soft tissues (i.e. bones and gums)”warns Dr. Puigmal
And it is that, sometimes, to achieve the optimal result with implants, it is necessary more complex treatmentssuch as bone regeneration procedures and gum grafts.
