If you are missing any teeth, dental implants provide a lot of benefits. Too many people do not think to ask their dentist about having implants put in because they may have heard some inaccurate information. Consult the list below to learn the truth behind common myths about dental implants.

3 Dental Implant Myths Busted

1. It Is an Invasive Surgery

Some people may have heard that the procedure required for the implants is invasive, painful, and takes a long time to heal. This is not true. Thanks to modern technology, the oral surgery used to implant the titanium “tooth root” can be minimally invasive with a quick recovery. The procedure can be done with laughing gas and a local anesthetic so the procedure can be performed as comfortably as possible. Most patients recover fully within a few days and feel nothing as the implant spends the next few months bonding to the surrounding jawbone.

2. They Look Unnatural

Implants are custom made for your mouth. Your dentist will take a mold of your mouth, creating a tooth that perfectly fits next to the others. It will match in size, shape, and color for a seamless addition to your mouth.

No one will know that you have an implant rather than a real tooth, even if they look closely. In fact, the implant functions just as a real tooth does, so you may forget it is not a natural tooth.

3. They Don’t Last Long

While each case is unique, if done properly your implant can last a lifetime. Most last for more than 25+ years and are meant to be a permanent replacement. Follow your dentist’s guidelines for care, and you may be able to expect it to outlast your lifetime!

Because the implant replaces the tooth’s root as well as the crown, it also provides a supporting structure in the jaw that prevents bone loss and other teeth inside the mouth from shifting over the years.

The general dentistry team at Beard & Holmen offer dental implants for their patients in Waterloo, IL. After more than 25 years in the business, Dr. Darryll Beard and Dr. Charles Holmen are well equipped to provide this advanced treatment in addition to their general care. They will walk you through the process so you know what to expect, and make the restoration process easy. Learn more on their website and call (618) 939-7181 to schedule a consultation.