Dental implants are an important option when a person is needing to have one or more of their teeth replaced. This option is popular as a result of its durability and aesthetics. However, there are many facts about this tooth-replacement option that people may overlook.

The Placement Of A Dental Implant Can Take Weeks To Complete

The durability of a dental implant as a tooth replacement option is largely due to the fact that the implant itself will bind to the bones in the patient's jaw. While this can provide for a far more durable replacement, it can take some time for it to fully bind to the bones in the patient's jaw. As a result, you will have to return to have the replacement tooth applied to the implant once the bonding is complete. This can vary from one patient to another, and it may be necessary to undergo periodic evaluations so that the dentist can monitor your healing progress.

The Replacement Tooth Will Eventually Need To Be Replaced

A dental implant itself will be a permanent addition to your mouth, but the visible tooth will be a separate component. Unfortunately, the replacement tooth is likely to suffer wear over time, and this will lead to it eventually needing to be replaced. In most cases, this artificial tooth will easily last for a decade or longer. However, the process of replacing this tooth will be far less invasive, as there will not be a need for the implant to go through the bonding process again. Yearly evaluations will help your dentist with determining when the replacement tooth has suffered enough wear for you to consider replacing it. It may take a week or longer for the replacement tooth to be made, and this can make it beneficial to avoid delaying with starting the replacement process.

A Dental Implant Placement Procedure May Not Be As Painful As You Assume

A person may choose to opt for a bridge or other tooth-replacement option due to assuming that the process of placing an implant will be extremely painful. In reality, a dental implant procedure is unlikely to cause patients significant discomfort. During the first few days after the implant is placed, a patient may experience the most intense of their discomfort, but most will find that this discomfort can be easily mitigated with over-the-counter medications. Making sure to thoroughly follow the recovery recommendations of your doctor can help to lessen the discomfort you experience by mitigating the potential of an infection developing at the implant site.