If you are missing teeth or have damaged teeth, you’re probably determining what to do next. Do you get dentures? A bridge? What about dental implants? Are they safe for long term use? 

The simple answer is yes, dental implants are safe. As with any medical procedure, they have risks involved with them, so let’s dig a little deeper into the safety question to help you determine if dental implants are right for you. 

Health Risks

Health risks for dental implants are low. Titanium, the metal used for dental implants, is body-safe and has not been shown to cause cancer in studies. Titanium is accepted easily by the body, making it an ideal metal to fuse to your bones. 

Titanium can cause some health concerns if it leeches into the rest of your body. Fortunately, titanium is an extremely strong, durable metal, so it is rare for it to wear down or corrode. Regular checkups will allow us to monitor the health of you implants to ensure they are strong. 

The most immediate health risk with implants comes from allergy, which is rarer than other metal allergies like nickel, and can be tested for when you talk to us about your interest in implants. 

Long-term Risks of Going Without

While the risks associated with dental implants are rare, the impact of going without can be huge on your overall dental health. Jawbone deterioration happens when missing teeth cause the capillaries in the jaw to shrivel. The bone weakens and can break more easily. The weakening jawbone also negatively affects other teeth, leading to further tooth loss. Implants reduce the chance of jawbone deterioration by stimulating the jaw and gums, keeping blood flow active to the area.

When you have missing teeth, the other teeth in your mouth take on the pressure from chewing and other daily activities involving the mouth. This causes them to shift and sometimes break. Dental implants take off this extra pressure, so that your remaining teeth remain strong and healthy. 

Long-Term Health

If you care for your dental implants with healthy dental habits and regular checkups, they will last for decades. Well cared-for, dental implants are a safe, effective way to improve your overall health and life. Unlike dentures, implants don’t require major changes to your diet. They also don’t require the adjacent teeth to be reshaped, making them less damaging on your other teeth that bridge work. 

Each person is unique. We’re happy to discuss with you the pros and cons of dental implants so that you can determine if they are right for you. Implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss that can be lifechanging. 

If you are ready to smile with confidence, we are accepting new patients! Get the dental care that you deserve and the smile that you want at Absolute Smile Philadelphia or Bucks County. Contact us today to make your appointment and learn about your options.