12 frequent myths about dental implants

Dental implants have evolved a lot since their beginnings, and have changed procedures, materials used, techniques… For example, technological advances have made it possible to reduce the time of the intervention and recovery, with minimally invasive surgeries that involve minimal discomfort for the patient.

Even so, there are many myths and false beliefs surrounding immediate load implantology that prevent many people from consulting their dentist about this procedure. This prevents them from improving their oral health and their quality of life in general.

For this reason, we wanted to compile the most common myths and explain what is true and what is legend.

1. “Implants are usually rejected, as they are a foreign element to the bone.” This is not true: implants are composed of a commercially “pure” titanium alloy. It is a bioinert metal – it does not react on contact with living tissues or cells – which does not produce rejection; on the contrary, it integrates into the bone thanks to natural biological healing processes. Therefore, the term rejection, attributed to organ transplants, is incorrect when we talk about implants. If we want to describe the process in which the implant fails to unite with the bone, we will speak of failure of integration or osseointegration. Even if an implant fails, it will always be possible to place it again, and in this case it will be essential to find the factors that have caused this failure in order to control them.
2. “Implants are not esthetic.” Fear that they will look different from the rest of the dental pieces in color and shape, that the titanium will blacken and become visible… But all this is no longer the case: nowadays implants are indistinguishable from natural teeth, and the new materials are durable and do not spoil with the passage of time. In addition, materials such as zirconium can be used in the visible part of the prosthetic part, thus imitating the natural tooth with great accuracy.
3. “You can’t put implants if I don’t have bone.” Although each case is different, today 3D reconstruction techniques make it possible to perform surgery virtually, and to anticipate and solve problems such as lack of bone. Even tissue regeneration techniques are applied when necessary, such as autologous membranes -derived from the body itself- rich in growth factors and leukocytes, which accelerate and consolidate tissue healing processes.
4. “Implants increase the risk of gum inflammation.” Diseases that cause gum inflammation, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, have other causes, but do not originate from implants. The patient with gum problems should keep in mind that these have to be controlled before placing the implants, and that once they are placed, regular check-ups should be carried out to control the factors that predispose to peri-implant diseases -inflammation of the mucosa surrounding the implant-.
5. “If you have any systemic disease, you can’t get implants.” Anyone with such a disease, such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, can get implants. You just have to have it controlled and stabilized. There is a type of systemic disease, osteoporosis, which sometimes requires pharmacological treatment based on bisphosphonates. This family of drugs can sometimes produce serious bone disorders. It is mandatory to consult a professional before placing implants if you are taking this medication.
6. “Implants are not a long-lasting solution.” On the contrary, if performed with guaranteed use of good materials, by a good specialist, and proper oral care is performed, dental implants can last a lifetime.
7. “Implants are only for older people.” Although it is older people who tend to lose teeth and replace them with implants, any person who has completed bone growth (between the ages of 17 and 19 approximately) may need an implant. In young adults, the most common cause is traumatic loss of a dental piece.
8. “Implants do not require specific care.” Dental implants feel and look like natural teeth, but they still require specific care to prevent possible problems. By following a few simple tips, it is possible to keep both implants and general oral health in perfect condition.
9. “Any dentist can place dental implants.” This is not only a myth, but a dangerous myth. The professional who carries out this intervention must have a minimum experience determined by the difficulty of each case. There is no doubt that implant treatment is a specialized treatment that involves several disciplines, including surgery and prosthetics. A single professional will hardly be able to reach the maximum specialization in all of them, although he/she will sometimes be able to solve the simplest cases, or at least those to the extent of his/her experience.
10. “Implants make the airport checkpoint go off.” The materials used in implant dentistry are not detected by airport scanners or other facilities, so they pose no problem.
11. “Dental implants are very expensive.” In reality, considering that they pay for themselves over a lifetime and with the financing options offered, they are often much more affordable than other treatments. In addition, not only are they more beneficial to oral health, but you gain in esthetics and function, and improve your confidence and self-esteem.

“Getting implants is a long and painful process.” Nothing could be further from the truth! With all the advances that have been made in this field, immediate load implantology allows you to enjoy your new teeth in just 24 h, and with a virtually discomfort-free process, as the incisions are minimal thanks to guided surgery. In addition, relaxation techniques such as 3D glasses or intravenous sedation are applied if necessary.