Tooth loss is a scary prospect. So much so that many of us have nightmares about it! Dream interpretation aside, your teeth are a fundamental part of your daily life that you probably take for granted. If you’ve lost even a single tooth you’re probably trying to find a way to restore your smile in the most life-like, reliable way possible.

At New Albany Implants we restore lost teeth, and we specialize in the placement and restoration of dental implants. If you’ve ever wondered about getting an implant you probably have a lot of questions: getting an implant can almost be as scary as losing a tooth!

Today we’re going to answer some of the most common questions we hear about dental implants. We hope that this blog post will help you make a good decision about the future of your smile.

Q: Does Getting An Implant Hurt?

A: The placement of a dental implant is just like any other kind of dental or general surgical procedure: we do everything we can to eliminate pain and stressful sensations as we can. At the minimum your mouth will be fully anesthetized, so you can be sure you won’t feel a thing.

We also offer a variety of sedation options, from nitrous oxide all the way to general anesthesia, to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly and is stress-free. Many patients opt for sedation during an implant procedure for simplicity’s sake: why sit through it when you can just wake up with a new smile?

Q: What’s The Recovery Timeline Like?

A: Your mouth is incredibly resilient. Most patients are back to work the very next day after an implant placement, and recovery generally only takes a few months at most. The majority of that time will be spent without any symptoms: it’s generally just the soft tissue healing phase that is uncomfortable.

Implants take several months to full osseointegrate (bind to your bone), so you will have a slightly restricted diet during that time. Aside from that most patients find healing from implant surgery to be relatively painless and simple!

Q: Will I Have To Spend Time Without Teeth?

A: No! We specialize in the placement of immediate load implants at our New Albany office. That means we can actually place your implants and have a bridge attached at the very same appointment. You’ll leave our office with teeth that are fixed in place in just a single visit.

The “day one” teeth you receive aren’t your final product, but they’ll still look incredibly realistic. Once your healing is complete we’ll attach a completely custom-made bridge to your implants that will completely blow you away. Our patients are amazed at how great their new smiles look!

Q: Are Dental Implants Uncomfortable?

A: Are your teeth uncomfortable? Implants behave just like natural teeth: they’re bonded to your bone and are roughly the size of a natural root. When you chew or talk you’ll feel forces distribute across them just like a natural tooth. Many patients even completely forget about them over time.

A single implant is a fast adjustment, while a full-mouth solution can take some time getting used to. There’s no discomfort during that time, however. Just a new sensation you aren’t used to. In a matter of weeks you’ll be living without paying your teeth a second thought.

Q: How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

A: With proper care there’s no reason to assume your implants won’t last for the rest of your life. Implants are strong, stable, resilient, and durable – as long as you take care of them! That means brushing twice a day and flossing nightly, just like you would with natural teeth.

It’s also essential to see us for regular checkups. Implants need a bit of specialized care, but with regular exams you shouldn’t have any problems keeping them healthy.

Still Have Questions?

We’re always available to answer all your dental care questions at our New Albany office. Whether you want to find out more about your dental implant options, are ready to get a implant yourself, or simply need another dental service performed we want to be the ones you trust for your care!

You can reach us by phone at 888-469-3982 or you can request an appointment by filling out our online form. We look forward to providing you with great dental care!