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Dental Implants Risks Aurora Co

Dental Implants Risks Aurora Co

Risks of Dental Implants Aurora Littleton CO

For both dentists and patients, dental implants are the preferred method for replacing missing teeth. They have a number of advantages over other options, including being more secure, more natural-looking, and even helping to maintain jaw bone tissue. Studies have shown a very high success rate for dental implants over time.

Still, the placement of dental implants does require a surgical procedure, and any surgical procedure comes with some risk. We believe that it’s important for all patients to be fully informed about any surgical procedure that they’re considering, including the potential risks as well as the benefits.

What are the risks of dental implants? How can you reduce your risk, to maximize your chances of being able to enjoy your implant for many years to come?

What are the risks of dental implants?

There are a few potential risks of dental implants, including:

  • Infection. Any surgery creates a risk of infection. If you do get an infection around a dental implant, there is only a very small risk that the bacteria will spread to other parts of the body and become dangerous. However, the infection interferes with the ability of the implant to integrate into the bone. If it doesn’t integrate properly, the implant will later become loose and may even fall out. People with certain medical problems, like immune system disorders or diabetes, are more likely to develop an infection.
  • Nerve damage. If an implant is placed too close to a nerve, then this can lead to complications like tingling and numbness in the face or mouth. When the procedure is performed by a highly experienced surgeon, this risk is minimal. However, dental implants are sometimes placed by regular dentists, who may not always have the extensive training and experience necessary to ensure safe placement.
  • Bleeding. Any surgical procedure carries the risk of bleeding. In most cases, blood clotting will occur and will naturally stop the bleeding. However, some people are at risk for excessive bleeding. In many cases, this is related to the surgeon accidentally damaging a blood vessel during the procedure; choosing an expert surgeon can help to minimize this risk. People with blood clotting disorders may not be candidates for getting dental implants, and those who take blood thinners will likely need to stop taking these for a period of time before and after their surgery.
  • Sinus problems. The bone of the upper jaw is thinner than the lower jaw, and the sinuses are located just above it. If an implant is improperly placed into the upper jaw, then it may penetrate through the bone into the sinuses, and cause sinus problems. Again, choosing a highly experienced surgeon minimizes the risk of this occurring.

How can you minimize your risk?

The most important way to minimize the risk of dental implants is to choose a highly experienced surgeon to place them. Regular dentists are legally allowed to place dental implants. However, dental school provides only minimal training on how to do this. Many dentists also don’t perform this procedure very often, and so they don’t have much experience with it. Complications are more common when the implants are placed by someone without specialized training. By choosing a surgeon who has extensive training and experience in dental implant placement, you minimize the risk of a bad outcome.

Another way to minimize your risk is to follow your postsurgical instructions very carefully. You will need to be careful about caring for your surgical site, and let your surgeon know immediately if you notice any signs of an infection or other problems. We’ll let you know what specific signs to watch out for. 

You’ll also need to continue caring for your implant by maintaining excellent oral hygiene over the years to come. Just like your natural teeth, your implant does require regular cleaning. We’ll have a discussion with you about how best to take care of your implant, and you’ll have a chance to ask any questions so that you’re empowered to take the best care of yourself.

Risks of Dental Implants Aurora Littleton CO

We believe that all people should be fully informed about any surgical procedure that they’re considering, and so we ensure that our patients completely understand the potential risks of getting dental implants. At the same time, dental implants have been shown in research to be extremely safe, with a low risk of long-term complications. The vast majority of people who choose to get a dental implant will be able to enjoy it for many years to come.

If you’d like to learn more about dental implants and what the procedure would be like in your specific situation, we invite you to schedule a consultation in our Aurora or Littleton offices. Our surgeons, including Dr. Kenneth J. Versman, Dr. Douglas A. Heller, Dr. Eric M. Beckman, and Dr. Daniel Thousand, are experts in the placement of dental implants, and they use the latest technology and surgical techniques to get the best possible results for our patients. To schedule your appointment, you can call 303-755-4500 for the Aurora office or 303-795- 5700 for the Littleton office.