Are Dental Implants Safe?

Following tooth loss, it is important that you replace them right away. Replacing missing teeth is essential for restoring the functions of your missing teeth, your smile, and your quality of life. Today, there are many options for replacing teeth. At Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center, one of the options we offer is dental implants. Implants are a unique treatment that provides several significant benefits, including greater comfort, versatility, ease of care, and the preservation of your jawbone. While an incredibly popular, and very successful, treatment, many patients still express concerns regarding the safety of dental implants.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a treatment used to replace missing teeth. This versatile treatment uses small titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone to provide support for dental restorations and can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even an entire arch of teeth. As you heal from surgery, your bone gradually fuses to the posts. This process, called osseointegration, stabilizes the posts in your jaw, enabling them to hold your new teeth securely in place.

Titanium Implant Posts

Approximately 95% of all implant posts placed, are made from a titanium alloy. Titanium is the original material used for implants and has been in use since the discovery of osseointegration in the 1950s. Over the years, this material has been subject to all kinds of research, making it very well understood. Even though the posts are made from metal, they are biocompatible, meaning that the material does not irritate the gums and bone. Instead, your bone fuses to the posts, helping to create stable replacement roots.

Care During Implant Surgery

Dental implants require a surgical procedure. We are very experienced in the placement of dental implants, and the process is both highly predictable and very safe. We take every measure necessary to ensure your safety during the process. Surgery is performed under a local anesthetic, which ensures that you do not feel any pain, as well as sedation, which can help you to remain calm and relaxed.

Following your surgery, you are provided with instructions to help you during your recovery. Issues like pain and swelling are common, and can often be managed with over the counter pain relievers and ice packs. Pain and swelling do subside over time. Following your aftercare instructions is crucial to avoiding complications while you heal.

What Risks are Associated with Implants?

While dental implants are generally regarded as safe and effective, there are some risks that are associated with them.

•	While titanium is the preferred implant material, due to its incredible strength, there is a minor risk of corrosion. Corrosion can shorten the lifespan of your implants and lead to sudden failure.
•	Titanium may react with other metals in your mouth, such as those found in amalgam fillings. This is also a very slight risk.
•	Allergies to metal can lead to irritation, which is not only uncomfortable but can affect the success of implant treatment.

Dental implants have several decades of research behind them. They are well understood and a very safe, predictable procedure. If you have any questions or concerns regarding dental implants, call Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center at 925-290-7727 today.

Board certified in Oral & Maxillofacial surgery

The surgical specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery requires up to six additional years of hospital based surgical and anesthesia training beyond dental school.

Contact Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center Today!

The first step to a healthier, happier you.

Livermore

1133 E. Stanley Blvd. #215 • Livermore, CA 94550
Phone: 925-290-7727 Fax: 925-294-8800

Tracy

2160 W. Grant Line Road #160 • Tracy, CA 95377
Phone: Phone: 209-835-4600 • Fax: Fax: 209-835-8833

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Are Dental Implants Safe? | Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center - Livermore & Tracy, CA
Dental implant benefits include greater comfort, versatility, ease of care, and the preservation of your jawbone.
Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center, 1133 E Stanley Blvd #215, Livermore, CA 94550; 925-290-7727; pacificofs.com; 5/13/2023; Page Phrases: oral surgeon Livermore;